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- A++2020
Sensitivity of the Fasciae to the Endocannabinoid System: Production of Hyaluronan-Rich Vesicles and Potential Peripheral Effects of Cannabinoids in Fascial Tissue
Caterina Fede , Carmelo Pirri , Lucia Petrelli, Diego Guidolin , Chenglei Fan, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoThis laboratory study investigated how fascial cells respond to cannabinoids. Researchers isolated fibroblast cells from human fascia lata and treated them with a substance that activates cannabinoid receptor 2. The tre…
fascia; hyaluronan; vesicles; endocannabinoid; agonist; antagonist; inflammation; fibrosis; pain; peripheral effect - A++2020
Ultrasound imaging of a scar on the knee: Sonopalpation for fascia and subcutaneous tissues
Carmelo Pirri, Antonio Stecco, Caterina Fede, Raffaele De Caro, Carla Stecco, Levent ÖzçakarPersistent pain from surgical or trauma-related scars is a common and sometimes debilitating problem. In this article, the authors describe the use of ultrasound imaging to provide an objective diagnosis for debilitatin…
fasciapainscarultrasonographyknee - A++++2020
Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths
William B Grant, Henry Lahore, Sharon L McDonnell, Carole A Baggerly, Christine B French, Jennifer L Aliano, Harjit P B…In this 2020 review article, the authors examine evidence that vitamin D could reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections, including influenza and COVID-19. They propose that vitamin D works through several mechani…
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); ascorbic acid; cathelicidin; coronavirus; COVID-19; cytokine storm; influenza; observational; pneumonia; prevention; respiratory tract infection; solar radiation; treatment; UVB; vitamin C; vitamin D - A2020
Evaluation of scapular mobilization and comparison to pectoralis minor stretching in individuals with rounded shoulder posture: A randomized controlled trial
Maedeh Fani, Samaneh Ebrahimi, Ali GhanbariThis randomized controlled trial investigated treatments for rounded shoulder posture in 52 healthy students. Researchers compared the effects of scapular mobilization, pectoralis minor self-stretching, and a combinatio…
Mobilization; Pectoralis minor stretching; Rounded shoulder; Scapular kinematics. - A+++2020
Mechanical stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines: potential insight into soft tissue manual therapies
Aric Anloague, Aaron Mahoney, Oladipupo Ogunbekun, Taylor A Hiland, William R Thompson, Bryan Larsen, M Terry Loghmani,…This lab study investigated how mechanical forces, similar to those in manual therapy, affect human skin cells. Researchers first applied a repetitive strain to cultured dermal fibroblasts to simulate an overuse injury,…
inflammationMyofascial releaseManual Therapyphysical therapyphysiotherapy - A+2020
Recent advances in the anti-aging effects of phytoestrogens on collagen, water content, and oxidative stress
Tao Liu, Nan Li, Yi-Qi Yan, Yan Liu, Ke Xiong, Yang Liu, Qing-Mei Xia, Han Zhang, Zhi-Dong LiuThis narrative review examines how phytoestrogens, plant-derived compounds that mimic human estrogen, may influence skin aging processes. Research suggests these molecules can help counteract the decline in collagen and…
collagen; estrogen; oxidative stress; phytoestrogens; skin aging; water content - A2020
Virtual reality in the rehabilitation process for individuals with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome: A systematic review
Jamile Benite Palma Lopes, Natalia de Almeida Carvalho Duarte, Roberta Delasta Lazzari, Claudia Santos OliveiraThis systematic review compiled research on virtual reality (VR) as a rehabilitation tool for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Researchers analyzed five high-quality studies and found that VR training, bo…
Cerebral palsy; Down syndrome; Movement analysis; Virtual reality. - A2019
Ultrasound Imaging of the Fascial Layers
Carmelo Pirri, Carla Stecco, Levent ÖzçakarThis publication, for which a full summary is not yet available, appears to discuss using ultrasound to visualize the body's fascial layers. Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive technique that provides real-time views o…
ultrasound.fascial layers - A+2019
Effect of breakfast on weight and energy intake: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Katherine Sievert, Sultana Monira Hussain, Matthew J Page, Yuanyuan Wang, Harrison J Hughes, Mary Malek, Flavia M Cicut…This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether regular breakfast consumption affects body weight and energy intake in adults from high-income countries. The findings suggest that individuals who skipped break…
beakfastweight control - A2019
Active Contractile Properties of Fascia
ROBERT SCHLEIP, WERNER KLINGLERThis narrative review explores how fascia, often seen as a passive tissue, can actively contract. Researchers point to the presence of cells called myofibroblasts within the fascia, which give it the ability to change i…
myofibroblast; fascia; connective tissue; contracture; stiffness; fibrosis - A2019
Glut-1 explains the evolutionary advantage of the loss of endogenous vitamin C-synthesis
Tabea C Hornung, Hans-Konrad BiesalskiUnlike many animals, humans cannot produce their own vitamin C. This study explores a potential evolutionary advantage of this loss. Researchers compared red blood cells from humans and pigs (who can make vitamin C) and…
glucose transporter; vitamin C; gulono-lactone-oxidase; vitamin C recycling - A++2019
Fascial neuromodulation: an emerging concept linking acupuncture, fasciology, osteopathy and neuroscience
Gianluca BiancoThis conceptual paper presents a model called "fascial neuromodulation" to explain how therapies like acupuncture might work. The author suggests that mechanical signals through the fascial network can influence the ner…
acupunctureosteopathyneuromodulationposturologyfascial system