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
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 - 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 - 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 - A+2019
Role of a natural integrator based on lipoic acid, palmitoiletanolamide and myrrh in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis
Vincenzo De Leo, Angelo Cagnacci, Valentina Cappelli, Anna Biasioli, Deborah Leonardi, Renato SeracchioliThis study investigated a nutritional supplement for endometriosis-related pain. Sixty women with ovarian endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain took a supplement containing alpha-lipoic acid, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)…
nutraceuticalendometriosispelvic painantioxidant - A2019
High-dose vitamin C suppresses the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Ling-Hui Zeng, Qing-Mei Wang, Lin-Yi Feng, Yu-Dun Ke, Qian-Zi Xu, An-Yi Wei, Chong Zhang, Rong-Biao YingThis study on breast cancer cells in the lab and in mice explored how different doses of vitamin C affect cancer cell behavior. Researchers found that low and medium doses of vitamin C seemed to encourage cancer cells t…
Breast cancermetastasisTGF-β1Vitamin C - 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
The neural basis of the senses of effort, force and heaviness
Uwe Proske, Trevor AllenThis narrative review explores how we sense effort, force, and heaviness during muscle contraction. Traditionally, these sensations were thought to originate in the brain from copies of motor commands. However, new evid…
Force sense · Proprioception · Muscle spindle · Tendon organ · Motor command · Efference copy · Vibration - B2019
The Fascial Connections of the Pectineal Ligament
Hanno Steinke, Dina Wiersbicki, Anna Völker, Philipp Pieroh, Charlotte Kulow, Benjamin Wolf, Georg OsterhoffThis anatomical study investigated the detailed fascial connections of the pectineal ligament using dissection and analysis of ten human specimens. Researchers found the ligament acts as a connective tissue junction bet…
tendinous arch of levator aniiliopubic tract; obturator fascia; pectineal ligamentpectineal fascia; Waldeyers’ fascia; Gerota’s fascia; Zuckerkandl’s fascia; Toldt’s fascia - A2019
Effects of foam rolling on performance and recovery: A systematic review of the literature to guide practitioners on the use of foam rolling
Sharief Hendricks, Hayd'n Hill, Steve den Hollander, Wayne Lombard, Romy ParkerThis systematic review analyzed 49 studies to understand how foam rolling affects athletic performance and recovery. The authors found evidence that foam rolling can decrease muscle stiffness and improve range of motion…
FlexibilityFoam rollingPerformanceRecovery - C2019
Cell Biology: Function Guides Form of Auditory Sensory Cells
Jamis McGrath, Benjamin J PerrinThis study describes how the sensory cells in our ears get their specific shape. These cells have bundles of tiny hair-like structures called stereocilia, arranged like a staircase in rows of decreasing height. The proc…
mechanotransductionauditory sensory cells