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- A2018
Fractal fluctuations in muscular activity contribute to judgments of length but not heaviness via dynamic touch
Madhur Mangalam, James D Conners, Damian G Kelty-Stephen, Tarkeshwar SinghCOPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive condition that often involves chest pain. This article analyzes the possible causes of this pain, focusing on a less frequently considered source: the fascia…
Biotensegrity · Effortful touch · Fractality · Haptic perception · Multifractality · Muscular effort · Perceptual invariance · Psychophysics - 1A+2018
The Equine Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Ligament: an Assessment of Health and Function by Means of Its Damping Harmonic Oscillator Properties, Measured Using an Acoustic Myography System: a New Modality Study
Jillian Costello Chavers, A Kent Allen, Waqas Ahmed, Lene Høeg Fuglsang-Damgaard, Adrian P HarrisonThis study in horses explored a new method called acoustic myography (AMG) to help diagnose injuries in the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) of the hindlimb. Researchers used a device to record sound signals from the…
equineCUROAcoustic myographySuspensory desmitisLameness - 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
A New Concept of Biotensegrity Incorporating Liquid Tissues: Blood and Lymph
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Roberto CastagnaThis conceptual article proposes an update to the biotensegrity model, which traditionally focuses on the solid structures of the fascial system. The authors argue that "liquid tissues" like blood and lymph should also…
fasciaChiropracticManual TherapyMyofascialOsteopathic - A+++2017
Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury
Monika L Bayer, Peter Magnusson, Michael KjaerThis research entry, titled "Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury," is currently awaiting a detailed summary. The title suggests it explores the optimal timing for starting rehabilitation follow…
Rehabilitationmuscle injurymechanical loading in rehabilitation - A+++2017
Proinflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress Decrease the Transport of Dopamine Precursor Tyrosine in Human Fibroblasts
Ravi Vumma, Jessica Johansson, Nikolaos VenizelosThis laboratory study investigated how inflammation and oxidative stress affect the transport of the amino acid tyrosine in human fibroblasts, a type of connective tissue cell. Tyrosine is a crucial precursor for the ne…
Dopamine precursor; Human fibroblasts; Neuropsychiatric disorders; Oxidative stress; Proinflammatory cytokines; Tyrosine transport. - A2017
The Lumbodorsal Fascia as a Potential Source of Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review
Jan Wilke, Robert Schleip, Werner Klingler, Carla SteccoThis narrative review examines the role of the lumbodorsal fascia as a potential source of low back pain. Research shows this fascia contains pain-sensing nerve endings, which may be morphologically altered in people wi…
fasciaNociceptionlow back painlumbodorsal fascia - B2017
The Application of Acoustic Myography in Canine Muscle Function and Performance Testing
Christina Fenger, Adrian P HarrisonThis animal study on 11 Labrador dogs used acoustic myography (AMG) to measure muscle activity during walking and trotting. Researchers focused on two muscles, the m. gluteus superficialis and m. longissimus lumborum, t…
Mechanomyographym.longissimusm.glutealDogMuscle contraction - A++2017
A New Definition of an Acupuncture Meridian
Fletcher KovichThis perspective article proposes a new definition of acupuncture meridians, moving away from the idea of dedicated anatomical vessels. The author suggests that meridians are actually tracts of tissue that become affect…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - A++2017
A Curious Oversight in Acupuncture Research
Fletcher KovichIn this perspective article, the author argues that current acupuncture hypotheses overlook a crucial factor: the speed at which the treatment takes effect. Observations suggest that communication between acupoints and…
acupunctureelectrical wavesemiconductionsignal propagation - A2017
The indeterminable resilience of the fascial system
Bruno Bordoni, Fabiola Marelli, Bruno Morabito, Beatrice SacconiThis commentary proposes a model of fascia not as layers, but as a network of polyhedral microvacuoles of connective tissue. These structures connect the body's systems and can change shape in response to tension, allow…
fasciafibroblastManual TherapyOsteopathicfascial continuum - A2017
Acute effects of foam rolling on passive tissue stiffness and fascial sliding: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Frieder Krause, Jan Wilke, Daniel Niederer, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis document is a study protocol, outlining the planned method for a randomized controlled trial, not a report of its results. The researchers intend to investigate the immediate effects of foam rolling on the anterior…
Connective tissue; Cross-correlation; Fascia; Flexibility; Foam rolling; Self-myofascial release; Tissue stiffness; Ultrasound.