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++2019
Ketogenic Diet and Microbiota: Friends or Enemies
Antonio Paoli, Laura Mancin, Antonino Bianco, Ewan Thomas, João Felipe Mota, Fabio PicciniThis narrative review explores the relationship between the very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) and the gut microbiota. The community of microbes in our gut is a dynamic entity known to play a fundamental role…
gut microbiota; gut microbiome; intestinal microbiome; ketogenic diet; ketogenic diet and fat - B2019
Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for the Treatment of Edematous Fibrosclerotic Panniculopathy (Cellulite): A Randomized Trial
Neil S Sadick, Mitchel P Goldman, Genzhou Liu, Neil H Shusterman, Michael P McLane, David Hurley, V Leroy YoungThis randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of an enzyme injection, collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH), for treating cellulite. Researchers treated 375 women with moderate to severe…
cellulitescollagenas - A+++2019
Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
Juan Mario García-Coronado, Lorena Martínez-Olvera, Rodrigo E Elizondo-Omaña, Carlos Alberto Acosta-Olivo, Félix Vilche…This meta-analysis of five randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluated the impact of oral collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. The findings suggest that collagen may help reduce the overall disea…
Collagen supplementation; Meta-analysis; Osteoarthritis symptoms; Visual Analogue Scale; WOMAC index - 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 - B2019
TMEM2: a missing link in hyaluronan catabolism identified?
Yu Yamaguchi, Hayato Yamamoto, Yuki Tobisawa, Fumitoshi IrieHyaluronan (HA) is a large molecule in our connective tissues that is broken down and replaced very quickly. Scientists have long understood that large HA molecules are first chopped into smaller pieces on the surface o…
hyaluronanhyaluronidaseTMEM2HA catabolism - A+++2019
Future Aspects for Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer Therapy
Terézia Kisková, Felicitas Mungenast, Mária Suváková, Walter Jäger, Theresia ThalhammerThis scientific review explores how cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, may influence breast cancer beyond their established role in palliative care for pain and nausea. Research suggests that cannabinoids might decelera…
CBD; Cannabis sativa; THC; breast cancer; cannabidiol; cannabinoid receptor; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol - A++2019
Mitochondrial superoxide anions induced by exogenous oxidative stress determine tumor cell fate: an individual cell-based study
Hui PAN, Bao-hui WANG, Zhou-bin LI, Xing-guo GONG, Yong QIN, Yan JIANG, Wei-li HANIn this cell-based study, researchers investigated how external oxidative stress affects individual lung cancer cells. They found that applying a stressor like hydrogen peroxide caused a rapid increase in reactive oxyge…
Individual cell; Superoxide anion; Reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamics; Intrinsic apoptotic pathway; Ca2+ signaling - 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 - 1A+2019
A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb
Sharon May-Davis, Zefanja Vermeulen, Wendy Y BrownThis comparative anatomy study investigated the lower limbs of 574 equids, including 18 horse breeds, donkeys, zebras, and Przewalski's horses. Researchers looked for two specific ligamentous structures that are remnant…
2nd3rd4th Interosseous muscle; Dutch Konik; Bosnian Mountain Horse; Donkey; Przewalski; Zebra; Atavism - A+2019
Ultrasound-detected connective tissue involvement in acute muscle injuries in elite athletes and return to play: The French National Institute of Sports (INSEP) study
Jérôme Renoux, Jean-Louis Brasseur, Mathilde Wagner, Alain Frey, Dominique Folinais, Christian Dibie, Djamila Maiza, Mi…This study examined 70 elite athletes with acute muscle injuries. Researchers used ultrasound within seven days to assess injury severity and to see if connective tissue was involved. They then tracked the time it took…
ultrasound.return to playMuscle injuriesConnective tissue injury - A+++2019
A comparative multi-site and whole-body assessment of fascia in the horse and dog: a detailed histological investigation
Waqas Ahmed, Marta Kulikowska, Trine Ahlmann, Lise C Berg, Adrian P Harrison, Vibeke Sødring ElbrøndThis animal study compared the microscopic structure of fascia in horses and dogs across multiple body regions. Researchers found that horse fascia is generally tight and dense, while dog fascia is looser and more simil…
deep fascia; dog; histology; horse; hypodermis; myofascial kinetic lines; superficial fascia.