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
A Systematic Review of the Morphology and Function of the Sacrotuberous Ligament
DANIELA ALDABE , NIELS HAMMER, NATASHA A M S FLACK, STEPHANIE J WOODLEYThis systematic review examined existing research on the sacrotuberous ligament (STL) to clarify its anatomy and function. The STL is often implicated in conditions like pelvic girdle pain, but its exact role has been d…
anatomy; pelvis; ligament; review - 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
Adhesive capsulitis: review of imaging findings, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options
Brandon K K Fields, Matthew R Skalski, Dakshesh B Patel, Eric A White, Anderanik Tomasian, Jordan S Gross, George R Mat…This narrative review summarizes the current understanding of adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as "frozen shoulder." This debilitating condition, characterized by progressive pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint,…
frozen shoulderAdhesive capsulitiscoracohumeral ligamentMagnetic resonance imagingSubcoracoid fat triangle - A2019
Fascial Nomenclature: An Update
Bruno Bordoni, Stevan Walkowski, Bruno Morabito, Matthew A VaracalloThis review article discusses the ongoing challenge of creating a single, comprehensive definition for fascia. The authors argue that different scientific and clinical fields view fascia through their own unique lenses,…
fasciamechanotransductionMyofascialOsteopathicphysiotherapy - A2019
The plasma membrane as a mechanochemical transducer
Anabel-Lise Le Roux, Xarxa Quiroga, Nikhil Walani, Marino Arroyo, Pere Roca-CusachsIn this review article, researchers describe how the plasma membrane, the cell's outer boundary, acts as a key sensor for mechanical forces. The membrane senses and responds to physical stresses from its environment, su…
mechanotransductionmechanosensorplasma membranemembrane tension - A2019
Biophysics of Cell-Substrate Interactions Under Shear
Neha Paddillaya, Ashish Mishra, Paturu Kondaiah, Pramod Pullarkat, Gautam I Menon, Namrata GundiahIn this review article, the authors examine how cells adhere to surfaces and respond to mechanical forces. Cells use complex structures called focal adhesions to sense and react to their environment, including forces fr…
mechanotransductionfocal adhesionsstress fibersshear stress and devicesbiophysical models - 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
Quantifying muscle glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with post-stroke muscle stiffness using T1p MRI
Rajiv G Menon, Preeti Raghavan, Ravinder R RegatteThis study is the first to quantify the amount of hyaluronan, a key component for gliding movements within fascia. Researchers measured hyaluronan in tissue samples from various human anatomical sites and found that the…
hyaluronanStrokestiffnesshyaluronidase - A2019
Distinct fibroblast subsets drive inflammation and damage in arthritis
Adam P Croft, Joana Campos, Kathrin Jansen, Jason D Turner, Jennifer Marshall, Moustafa Attar, Loriane Savary, Corinna…This study in mice investigated the role of fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, in arthritis. Researchers identified two distinct subsets of fibroblasts with different functions. One type, located in the syno…
Synovial fibroblasts; inflammation; arthritis; transcriptomics; rheumatoid arthritis - A2019
Anterior capsular abnormality: another important MRI finding for the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
Jina Park, Yoon-Hee Choi, Jee Won Chai, Seung Woo Cha, Joo Hee Lim, Chris Hyunchul Jo, Dong Hyun KimThis retrospective study investigated whether abnormalities in the shoulder's anterior joint capsule, seen on MRI scans, can help diagnose adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Researchers compared MRIs from 29 patient…
Anterior capsular abnormalityAdhesive capsulitis of shoulderAnterior capsular thicknessAnterior capsular abnormal hyperintensity - 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
3D volumetric MR arthrographic assessment of shoulder joint capacity in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis
Hayri Ogul, Nurmuhammet Tas, Kutsi Tuncer, Gokhan Polat, Yasemin Ogul, Berhan Pirimoglu, Mecit KantarciThis study used 3D MR arthrography to measure and compare shoulder joint volume in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) against a healthy control group. Researchers found that the patient group ha…
frozen shoulderAdhesive capsulitisMR arthrography