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+++2018
Depression and anxiety in patients with chronic heart failure
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Beatrice SacconiIn this review article, the authors discuss the connection between chronic heart failure (CHF), mental health, and diaphragm function. CHF is a serious, progressive condition often accompanied by depression and anxiety.…
anxiety • baroreceptors • chronic heart failure • diaphragm • depression • inflammatory cytokines • phrenic nerve • psychiatric disorders • rehabilitation • vagus nerve - A2018
Effectiveness of 3-dimensional shoulder ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears
Aiping Teng, Fanxiao Liu, Dongsheng Zhou, Tao He, Yan Chevalier, Roland M KlarIn this meta-analysis, researchers combined data from seven studies involving 282 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. The analysis found that 3D ultr…
3-dimensional ultrasounddiagnostic valuemeta-analysisrotator cuff tears - A2018
Variations in Contents of Hyaluronan in the Peritumoral Micro-Environment of Human Chondrosarcoma
Caterina Fede, Carla Stecco, Andrea Angelini, Chenglei Fan, Elisa Belluzzi, Assunta Pozzuoli, Pietro Ruggieri, Raffaele…The micro-environment surrounding a tumor greatly influences its growth and response to therapy. This study focused on chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers quan…
hyaluronan; chondrosarcoma; peritumoral stroma; fascia; tumor micro-environment; malignant bone tumor; grade - A2018
New Proposal to Define the Fascial System
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto Castagna, Beatrice Sacconi, Paul MazzuccoIn this proposal, the authors suggest a new definition for the fascial system, noting that a universally accepted one does not yet exist. They argue for including the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) based on functio…
fasciaConnective tissuefibroblastMyofascialSkin - A++2018
Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century Informing Yoga and Physiotherapy Concerning New Findings in Fascia Research
John SharkeyThis short article discusses how a new view of anatomy, called biotensegrity, is changing our understanding of the human body. This perspective focuses on fascia as a continuous, interconnected network that creates a un…
biotensegrityyogahuman anatomy - A2018
Orientation and property of fibers of the myodural bridge in humans
Nan Zheng, Yan-Yan Chi, Xiao-Han Yang, Nan-Xing Wang, Yi-Lin Li, Yang-Yang Ge, Lan-Xin Zhang, Tai-Yuan Liu, Xiao-Ying Y…The myodural bridge is a fibrous connection between the deep suboccipital muscles of the neck and the spinal dura mater, the tough outer covering of the spinal cord. In this anatomical study, researchers investigated th…
Atlanto-axial interspace; Atlanto-occipital interspace; Collagen I fibers; Histologic staining; Myodural bridge; Suboccipital muscles; Vertebral dural ligament - C2018
Small leucine-rich proteoglycans and matrix metalloproteinase-14: Key partners?
Katarzyna Pietraszek-Gremplewicz, Konstantina Karamanou, Aïchata Niang, Manuel Dauchez, Nicolas Belloy, François-Xavier…This narrative review summarizes research on a family of proteins called small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs). These proteins are important regulators of the extracellular matrix and have been identified as potentia…
fibromodulinSLRPsLumicanDecorinBiglycan - B2018
The different distribution of enzymatic collagen cross-links found in adult and children bone result in different mechanical behavior of collagen
B Depalle, A G Duarte, I A K Fiedler, L Pujo-Menjouet, M J Buehler, J-P BerteauThis computational study explored how molecular bonds called collagen cross-links affect bone mechanics differently in children and adults. Using models based on real bone samples, researchers simulated how collagen fib…
Cross-linksChildren boneMolecular modelingBiomechanical properties - A2018
Immediate effects of self-myofascial release on latent trigger point sensitivity: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Jan Wilke, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined whether foam rolling could immediately reduce sensitivity in latent trigger points. Researchers compared 90 seconds of static compression, dynamic rolling, and a placeb…
fasciaMyofascial painFoam rollingSelf-masage - A2018
The myodural bridges’ existence in the sperm whale
Pei Liu, Chan Li, Nan Zheng, Xiaoying Yuan, Yutong Zhou, Pu Chun, Yanyan Chi, Campbell Gilmore, Shengbo Yu, Hongjin SuiIn this anatomical animal study, researchers examined tissue from a sperm whale to see if it possessed a myodural bridge, a connection between the neck muscles and the dura mater previously identified in humans. The inv…
Myodural Bridge - A+++2018
Sagittal plane fore hoof unevenness is associated with fore and hindlimb asymmetrical force vectors in the sagittal and frontal planes
Sarah Jane Hobbs, Sandra Nauwelaerts, Jonathan Sinclair, Hilary M Clayton, Willem BackUnevenness in a horse's fore hooves, defined by differences in the dorsal hoof wall angle, affects how force is distributed across both the fore and hindlimbs. This study of 34 riding horses found that hooves with a ste…
asymmetryriding horsesuneven feethoof angleforce - A2018
Biotensegrity and myofascial chains: A global approach to an integrated kinetic chain
S L Dischiavi, A A Wright, E J Hegedus, C M BleakleyThis theoretical paper proposes a holistic way to understand human movement, contrasting it with the traditional approach of studying body parts in isolation. The authors suggest a model based on "biotensegrity," where…
RehabilitationbiotensegrityMuscular chainsDynamic knee valgusHip