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- A2019
Educational Avenues for Promoting Dialog on Fascia
Rebecca L PrattThis article argues that fascia is a critically important, yet often overlooked, organ system in healthcare education. The author highlights fascia's diverse roles in pathology, fluid movement, proprioception, pain perc…
fascia; connective; tissue; curriculum; anatomy - A2019
Evaluation of the Structure of Myodural Bridges in an Equine Model of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Abigail McElroy, Ann Rashmir, Jane Manfredi, Dodd Sledge, Elizabeth Carr, Edward Stopa, Petra KlingeThis animal study investigated myodural bridges—connective tissue links between small neck muscles and the spinal cord's outer covering (dura mater)—in horses. Researchers compared horses with a genetic connective tissu…
Myodural BridgeEhlers-danlos syndromes - A2019
High-dose vitamin C suppresses the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Ling-Hui Zeng, Qing-Mei Wang, Lin-Yi Feng, Yu-Dun Ke, Qian-Zi Xu, An-Yi Wei, Chong Zhang, Rong-Biao YingThis study on breast cancer cells in the lab and in mice explored how different doses of vitamin C affect cancer cell behavior. Researchers found that low and medium doses of vitamin C seemed to encourage cancer cells t…
Breast cancermetastasisTGF-β1Vitamin C - A2019
Hyaluronan: molecular size-dependent signaling and biological functions in inflammation and cancer
Anastasia G Tavianatou, Ilaria Caon, Marco Franchi, Zoi Piperigkou, Devis Galesso, Nikos K KaramanosThis narrative review explores how hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix, functions differently depending on its molecular size. Large, high-molecular weight HA has different biological properties…
cancer; CD44; cell signaling; hyaluronan; inflammation; pharmacological targeting; RHAMM - A2019
Lipedema: friend and foe
Yanira Sanchez-De la Torre, Rita Wadeea, Victoria Rosas, Karen L HerbstLipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by painful, disproportionate fat accumulation in the limbs of women, and is often misdiagnosed as obesity. In this review, researchers examined both the negative ('foe') and…
gynoid fat; hypermobility; lipedema; lymphedema; women - A2019
Tissue Regeneration from Mechanical Stretching of Cell–Cell Adhesion
Amir Monemian Esfahani, Jordan Rosenbohm, Keerthana Reddy, Xiaowei Jin, Tasneem Bouzid, Brandon Riehl, Eunju Kim, Jung…This narrative review explores how mechanical stretching can stimulate tissue regeneration and wound healing. Researchers have long known that cells respond to mechanical forces, but much of the focus has been on the co…
wound healingmechanotransductioncell–cell adhesionmechanical stretchingtissue regeneration - A2019
Imaging of ultraweak photon emission for evaluating the oxidative stress of human skin
Katsuhiko Tsuchidaa, Torai Iwasab, Masaki KobayashiThis study explored a method for visualizing oxidative stress in human skin by imaging ultraweak photon emission (UPE), also known as biophotons. Researchers found that exposing skin to UV radiation increased the intens…
BiophotonOxidationImagingNon-invasiveUltraviolet - A2019
Intravascular heavy chain-modification of hyaluronan during endotoxic shock
Kevin Ni, Amar Gill, Danting Cao, Kengo Koike, Kelly S Schweitzer, Stavros Garantziotis, Irina PetracheIn this animal study, researchers investigated why a specific molecule, HC-modified hyaluronan (HC-HA), is critical for survival in systemic inflammation (like endotoxic shock) but less so in localized lung inflammation…
Hyaluronic acidInter-alpha-inhibitorSerum-derived hyaluronan-associated proteinTNFα stimulated gene 6Endotoxic shock - A2019
Benefits of adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Miguel Gómez-Hernández, Tomás Gallego-Izquierdo, Patricia Martínez-Merinero, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Alejandro Ferragut-Ga…This randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program provided extra benefits for women with fibromyalgia. One group performed moderate aerobic exercise…
FibromyalgiaStretchingpainsleep qualityquality of life - A2019
Dermatome and Fasciatome
Carla Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Caterina Fede, Chenglei Fan, Federico Giordani, Luigi Stecco, Calogero Foti, Raffaele De C…This theoretical paper proposes a new distinction between the body's sensory maps, based on increased knowledge of fascial innervation. The authors define a "dermatome" as the area of skin and superficial fascia supplie…
fascia; dermatome; nerve; pain; proprioception - A2019
Myofascial Chains of the Upper Limb: A Systematic Review of Anatomical Studies
JAN WILKE, FRIEDER KRAUSEThis systematic review compiled research to determine if myofascial chains, previously identified in the trunk and lower limbs, also exist in the upper limb. Analyzing 13 anatomical dissection studies, the authors found…
continuity; fascia; force transmission; muscles; cadavers; connective tissue; myofascial chains - A2019
Adhesive capsulitis: MRI correlation with clinical stages and proposal of MRI staging
Amarnath Chellathurai, Komalavalli Subbiah, Atchaya Elangovan,, Sivakumar KannappanThis study investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings can reflect the clinical stages of adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. Researchers analyzed MRIs from 74 patients, looking for sp…
Adhesive capsulitis; MRI staging; magnetic resonance imaging; frozen shoulder