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
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 - B2019
Stiffness and echogenicity: Development of a stiffness-echogenicity matrix for clinical problem solving
Antonio Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Raffaele De Caro, Preeti RaghavanAssessing soft tissue stiffness is important for many neuromusculoskeletal conditions, but can be challenging. While ultrasound can measure a tissue's echogenicity (how it reflects sound waves), this is not directly pro…
stiffnessultrasound.Elastographyechogenicity - A++2019
A prophylactic effect of local vibration on quadriceps muscle fatigue in non-athletic males: a randomized controlled trial study
Khadijeh Otadi, Mehri Ghasemi, Shohreh Jalaie, Hossein Bagheri, Morteza Azizian, Saeid Emamdoost, Hadi Sarafraz, Mustap…This randomized controlled trial investigated whether local vibration could prevent muscle fatigue. Thirty healthy, non-athletic young men were divided into two groups: one received two minutes of vibration on their qua…
Musclefatiguevibration - 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 - A++2019
High Cortisol and the Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Literature
Sami Ouanes, Julius PoppThis literature review examines the relationship between the stress hormone cortisol and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The research suggests that chronically elevated cortisol levels may have deleterious…
cognition; cortisol; dementia; executive functions; memory - A2019
Existence and features of the myodural bridge in Gallus domesticus: indication of its important physiological function
Ya-Ru Dou, Nan Zheng, Jing Gong, Wei Tang, Chukwuemeka Samuel Okoye, Ying Zhang, Yu-Xiao Chen, Yu Zhang, Shi-Yi Pi, Lia…In this anatomical animal study, researchers investigated the existence of the myodural bridge (MDB) in chickens. The MDB is a dense connective tissue that links muscles in the upper neck to the spinal dura mater. The i…
Myodural Bridgecerebrospinal fluid circulationCollagen fiberGallus domesticus - 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 - 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 - B2019
Extracellular matrix composition of connective tissues: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Turney J McKee, George Perlman, Martin Morris, Svetlana V KomarovaThis systematic review and meta-analysis compiled data to quantify the protein composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in various human connective tissues. Researchers analyzed data from studies on bone, adipose t…
extracellular matrixmatrix remodelingcollagen content - A2019
Hierarchical Hydrogel Composite Interfaces with Robust Mechanical Properties for Biomedical Applications
Yuting Zhu, Qiang Zhang, Xiaoli Shi, Dong HanThis review summarizes advances in hydrogel composites, materials designed to mimic the body's extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells naturally sense and respond to the mechanical properties and physical structure of the ECM…
tissue engineeringECMHydrogels - A++2019
A History of Fascia
Sue Adstrum, H NicholsonThis historiographic review surveys how the anatomical term "fascia" has been portrayed throughout history. The authors found that its meaning has varied considerably during the 400 years the term has been used in Engli…
anatomical terminology; fascia; fascial system; integrative anatomy; medical history - A++2019
Vitamin C Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis by Affecting the Expression of YAP1 and Synaptopodin 2
Liping Gan, Vladimir Camarena, Sushmita Mustafi, Gaofeng WangIn this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how vitamin C might inhibit the spread of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They found that vitamin C, at concentrations achievable throu…
F-actin; HIF-1α; YAP1; hippo pathway; lamellipodia; metastasis; synaptopodin 2; triple-negative breast cancer; vitamin C.