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
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. - A+++2019
An extravascular fluid transport system based on structural framework of fibrous connective tissues in human body
Hongyi Li, Chongqing Yang, Yajun Yin, Fang Wang, Min Chen, Liang Xu, Naili Wang, Di Zhang, Xiaoxia Wang, Yiya Kong, Qin…Researchers investigated a potential fluid transport system within the body's fibrous connective tissues, separate from blood and lymphatic vessels. Using fluorescent tracers in cadavers and MRI in volunteers, they visu…
interstitial fluidinterstitiuminterstitial spacesfascia fluid - 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
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
Benefits of adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Miguel Gómez-Hernández, Tomás Gallego-Izquierdo, Patricia Martínez-Merinero, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Alejandro Ferragut-Ga…This randomized controlled trial investigated whether adding stretching to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program provided extra benefits for women with fibromyalgia. One group performed moderate aerobic exercise…
FibromyalgiaStretchingpainsleep qualityquality of life - A2019
Dermatome and Fasciatome
Carla Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Caterina Fede, Chenglei Fan, Federico Giordani, Luigi Stecco, Calogero Foti, Raffaele De C…This theoretical paper proposes a new distinction between the body's sensory maps, based on increased knowledge of fascial innervation. The authors define a "dermatome" as the area of skin and superficial fascia supplie…
fascia; dermatome; nerve; pain; proprioception - A2019
Myofascial Chains of the Upper Limb: A Systematic Review of Anatomical Studies
JAN WILKE, FRIEDER KRAUSEThis systematic review compiled research to determine if myofascial chains, previously identified in the trunk and lower limbs, also exist in the upper limb. Analyzing 13 anatomical dissection studies, the authors found…
continuity; fascia; force transmission; muscles; cadavers; connective tissue; myofascial chains - A2019
Adhesive capsulitis: MRI correlation with clinical stages and proposal of MRI staging
Amarnath Chellathurai, Komalavalli Subbiah, Atchaya Elangovan,, Sivakumar KannappanThis study investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings can reflect the clinical stages of adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. Researchers analyzed MRIs from 74 patients, looking for sp…
Adhesive capsulitis; MRI staging; magnetic resonance imaging; frozen shoulder - 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 - C2019
Platelet decoys inhibit thrombosis and prevent metastatic tumor formation in preclinical models
Anne-Laure Papa, Amanda Jiang, Netanel Korin, Michelle B Chen, Erin T Langan, Anna Waterhouse, Emma Nash, Jildaz Carof,…Platelets are crucial for blood clotting but can also contribute to thrombosis and cancer metastasis. In this preclinical study, researchers created modified human platelets, called "platelet decoys," that retained thei…
Plateletplatelet decoystrombosismetastatic tumors - 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