Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A2014
Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in three stances under graded loading conditions: Proposing a tensegrity model for load transfer through the sacroiliac joints
Hamed Pardehshenas, Nader Maroufi, Mohammad Ali Sanjari, Mohamad Parnianpour, Stephen M LevinResearchers investigated how lumbopelvic muscles activate to stabilize the sacroiliac (SI) joints under different loads. They compared muscle activity in 30 men during two-legged and one-legged standing while holding we…
fasciasacroiliac jointload transferwire-spoke wheel modelarch theory; Self-bracing - A2014
Definition of the To Be Named Ligament and Vertebrodural Ligament and Their Possible Effects on the Circulation of CSF
Nan Zheng, Xiao-Ying Yuan, Yun-Fei Li, Yan-Yan Chi, Hai-Bin Gao, Xin Zhao, Sheng-Bo Yu, Hong-Jin Sui, John SharkeyIn this cadaver study, researchers investigated connective tissue structures in the upper neck of 30 human specimens. They identified two specific ligaments, the 'to be named ligament' (TBNL) and the vertebrodural ligam…
fasciadura materMyodural Bridgecerebrospinal fluid circulation - A2014
Specific Sizes of Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Stimulate Fibroblast Migration and Excisional Wound Repair
C Tolg, P Telmer, E TurleyHyaluronan (HA) is a molecule important for wound healing, and its effects appear to depend on its size. In this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how specific, small fragments of HA…
fasciahyaluronan molecular sizehyaluronan fragmentswound healing - A2014
The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Jeppe Bo Lauersen, Ditte Marie Bertelsen, Lars Bo AndersenThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined 25 studies to evaluate which types of exercise best prevent sports injuries. The analysis included over 26,000 participants and data on more than 3,400 injuries. Researc…
exercisesinjury prevention - A2014
Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in-vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia
K Hoppe, Robert Schleip, F Lehmann-Horn, Heike J€ager, Werner KlinglerMalignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but serious reaction to general anesthesia, diagnosed using a test on a skeletal muscle biopsy. Since muscle samples also contain fascia, which has contractile cells called myofibro…
myofibroblastsmalignant hyperthermiafascial tissuecontraction - A2014
Uptake and intracytoplasmic storage of pigmented particles by human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes: endocytic property of telocytes
Lucio Díaz-Flores, Ricardo Gutiérrez, M Pino García, Francisco J Sáez, Fernando Aparicio, Lucio Díaz-Flores Jr, Juan F…Researchers investigated whether a specific type of connective tissue cell, called a telocyte, could absorb foreign particles. They examined human colon tissue that had been injected with India ink as a surgical marker.…
CD34+ stromal cells; colon; endocytosis; phagocytosis; skin; telocytes. - A2014
Ultrasound Elastography: The New Frontier in Direct Measurement of Muscle Stiffness
Joline E Brandenburg, Sarah F Eby, Pengfei Song, Heng Zhao, Jeffrey S Brault, Shigao Chen, Kai-Nan AnThis 2014 review article describes ultrasound elastography, a technology that can directly measure the mechanical properties of tissue, such as muscle stiffness. The authors suggest that its real-time measurements can a…
musclesElastographydiagnostic imagingelasticityhardness - A2014
Biotensegrity of the extracellular matrix: physiology, dynamic mechanical balance, and implications in oncology and mechanotherapy
Irene Tadeo, Ana P Berbegall, Luis M Escudero,Tomás Álvaro, Rosa NogueraThis 2014 review article explores the concept of biotensegrity, a principle where cells and tissues maintain structural integrity through a balance of tension and compression. This dynamic mechanical balance involves th…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerbiotensegritymechanotherapy - A2014
Whey protein hydrolysate augments tendon and muscle hypertrophy independent of resistance exercise contraction mode
J Farup, S K Rahbek, M H Vendelbo, A Matzon, J Hindhede, A Bejder, S Ringgard, K VissingThis study investigated the effects of resistance training combined with either whey protein or a placebo on muscle and tendon growth. Twenty-two participants performed 12 weeks of knee extension training, using eccentr…
patellar tendonstrength trainingeccentric trainingconcentric trainingrate of force development - A2013
Sensory findings after stimulation of the thoracolumbar fascia with hypertonic saline suggest its contribution to low back pain
Andreas Schilder, Ulrich Hoheisel, Walter Magerl, Justus Benrath, Thomas Klein, Rolf-Detlef TreedeThis experimental study investigated the role of the thoracolumbar fascia as a potential source of low back pain. Researchers injected a pain-inducing saline solution into the fascia, back muscles, and subcutaneous tiss…
fasciaThoracolumbar fascialow back painhypertonic salineerector spinae muscle - A2013
Purine receptor mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling of human fibroblasts
Nanna Goldman, Devin Chandler-Militello, Helene Langevin, Maiken Nedergaard, Takahiro TakanoThis laboratory study investigated how certain molecules, called purines, affect human fibroblast cells. Previous research has shown that acupuncture can trigger the release of purines like ATP. The researchers exposed…
fasciacytoskeletonacupunctureFibroblastscalcium signaling - A2013
Complete Obstetric Anal Sphincter Tear and Risk of Long-term Fecal Incontinence: A Cohort Study
Mette M Soerensen, Steen Buntzen, Karl M Bek, Søren LaurbergThis cohort study followed women for over 20 years to assess the long-term effects of complete anal sphincter tears during childbirth. Researchers compared 125 women who experienced such a tear with 238 women who gave b…
Anal sphincter injury; Fecal incontinence; Quality of life.