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
Mechanobiology of cells and cell systems, such as organoids
Ece Bayir, Aylin Sendemir, Yannis F MissirlisThis review discusses organoids, which are three-dimensional tissues grown in a lab that self-organize to mimic organ development. While organoids offer great potential for disease modeling and drug development, little…
mechanotransductionmechanobiologyOrganoidMechanoepigeneticsCollective cell behavior - 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
Role of Hyaluronan in Inflammatory Effects on Human Articular Chondrocytes
Mary K Cowman, Claire Shortt, Shivani Arora, Yuhong Fu, Jemma Villavieja, Jai Rathore, Xiayun Huang, Tatini Rakshit, Gy…Some researchers have proposed that fragments of hyaluronan (HA), a key molecule in connective tissue, can trigger inflammation in cartilage. This study investigated that idea in human articular cartilage cells. Researc…
hyaluronan; hyaluronidase; articular cartilage; chondrocytes; inflammation - 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
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
Putative Primo-Vascular System in Rabbit Placenta
Fatma El-Zahraa A MustafaIn this animal study, researchers investigated the primo vascular system (PVS), a proposed network that may play a role in transport, tissue regeneration, and cell migration. While the PVS has been detected in other rab…
inflammatory cell; placenta; primo vascular system; primo vessel; rabbit. - A2019
Suboccipital Myodural Bridges Revisited: Application to Cervicogenic Headaches
KEI KITAMURA, KWANG HO CHO, MASAHITO YAMAMOTO, MICHITAKE ISHII, GEN MURAKAMI, JOSÉ FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZ-VÁZQUEZ, SHIN-IC…This anatomical study investigated the connective tissue structures, known as myodural bridges, in the suboccipital region of 30 human fetuses. Researchers identified two types of these bridges connecting muscles at the…
fetuses; atlas; cervical; cervical vertebra axis; pachymeninx; elastic fibers; cervicogenic headaches - A2019
Where is your head? Perception of relative position of the head on a wielded object
Jeffrey B Wagman, Takahiro HiguchiThis study explored how we perceive our body's position relative to an object we are holding or balancing. Researchers specifically tested this by having participants "wield" an object with their head, a body part not t…
Haptics . Perception and action . Touch - A2019
Biotensegrity or Fascintegrity
Bruno Bordoni, Matthew A Varacallo, Bruno Morabito, Marta SimonelliIn this theoretical review, the authors question the popular "biotensegrity" model for describing the body's mechanics. They argue the model is incomplete because it fails to account for crucial factors like bodily flui…
fasciaMyofascialOsteopathicphysiotherapyskeletal muscle - 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
Lymphatic pump manipulation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Bruno BordoniThis narrative review examines the use of lymphatic pump manipulation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterized by persistent inflammation, and lymphatic techniques aim to red…
inflammationfasciaOsteopathicCOPDlymphatic pump - A2019
Effects of foam rolling on performance and recovery: A systematic review of the literature to guide practitioners on the use of foam rolling
Sharief Hendricks, Hayd'n Hill, Steve den Hollander, Wayne Lombard, Romy ParkerThis systematic review analyzed 49 studies to understand how foam rolling affects athletic performance and recovery. The authors found evidence that foam rolling can decrease muscle stiffness and improve range of motion…
FlexibilityFoam rollingPerformanceRecovery
