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
Distinct fibroblast subsets drive inflammation and damage in arthritis
Adam P Croft, Joana Campos, Kathrin Jansen, Jason D Turner, Jennifer Marshall, Moustafa Attar, Loriane Savary, Corinna…This study in mice investigated the role of fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell, in arthritis. Researchers identified two distinct subsets of fibroblasts with different functions. One type, located in the syno…
Synovial fibroblasts; inflammation; arthritis; transcriptomics; rheumatoid arthritis - A2019
Innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia
Siegfried MenseThis study, conducted primarily on rats, investigated the types of nerves in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) to better understand its sensory roles. Researchers found only free nerve endings, many of which are associated…
NociceptionThoracolumbar fasciainnervationfree nerve endingsproprioception - A++2019
Induced lumbosacral radicular symptom referral patterns: a descriptive study
Michael B Furman, Stephen C JohnsonThis observational study investigated actual pain patterns caused by irritating specific nerve roots in the lower back. Clinicians often use standard 'dermatome' maps to diagnose the source of radiating leg pain, but pa…
dermatomes; nerve; communications; map; cutaneous; sensory - A+++2019
Vitamin C and Neutrophil Function: Findings from Randomized Controlled Trials
Mikee Liugan, Anitra C CarrThis systematic review examined how vitamin C supplementation affects neutrophils, a key type of immune cell. Researchers analyzed 16 randomized controlled trials that measured neutrophil functions like their ability to…
vitamin C; ascorbic acid; neutrophils; polymorphonuclear leukocytes; migration; chemotaxis; apoptosis; phagocytosis; oxidative burst; systematic review - 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. - B2019
Modeling and simulation of musculoskeletal system of human lower limb based on tensegrity structure
Zhanxi Wang, Chaoran Yang, Kang Feng, Xiansheng QinResearchers created a computer model of the human lower limb's musculoskeletal system using tensegrity principles, which balance tension and compression. Using an established muscle model (the Hill model), they simulate…
Tensegrity structure; lower limb model; motion analysis; gait simulation - 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 - A++2019
Fascial organisation of motor synergies: a hypothesis
Alessandro Garofolini, Daris SvaneraThis hypothesis paper explores how fascia helps organize movement through what are known as motor synergies. It suggests that instead of the brain controlling every muscle individually, the fascial system acts as a phys…
Motor control; degrees of freedom; movement coordination; muscle spindle; myofascial continuity. - A2019
Fascia thickness, aging and flexibility: is there an association?
Jan Wilke, Veronica Macchi, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoThis study investigated how deep fascia thickness relates to age and flexibility in healthy women. Researchers compared a group of young women with a group of older women, using ultrasound to measure fascia thickness an…
connective tissue; hyaluronic acid; stiffness; myofascial; aging - 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 - B2019
Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Pelvic Fascia
Marco A Siccardi, Cristina ValleThis anatomical review describes the pelvis not as a rigid, static base, but as a dynamic structure. Applying a biotensegrity model, the authors explain how the pelvic bones are suspended within a complex web of tension…
Pelvispelvic fascia - A2019
Structural Gender Dimorphism and the Biomechanics of the Gluteal Subcutaneous Tissue: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Cellulite
Christina Rudolph, Casey Hladik, Hassan Hamade, Konstantin Frank, Michael S Kaminer, Doris Hexsel, Robert H Gotkin, Nei…This study investigated gender differences in the subcutaneous tissue of the gluteal region to better understand the development of cellulite. Researchers found that men have more and stronger fibrous connections (septa…
celluliteAGEfatty tissuemorpholgygender