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- 1A++2017
Microscopic anatomy of the visceral fasciae
Carla Stecco, Maria Martina Sfriso, Andrea Porzionato, Anna Rambaldo, Giovanna Albertin, Veronica Macchi, Raffaele De C…Researchers examined the microscopic structure of visceral fascia—the connective tissue surrounding internal organs—from eight cadavers. They analyzed samples from the thorax, abdomen, and around organs like the heart,…
elastic lamina; Gerota fascia; pericardium; peritoneum; serous membrane; visceral fascia; visceral manipulation. - C2017
Concurrent validity of pain scales in individuals with myofascial pain and fibromyalgia
Scott W Cheatham, Morey J Kolber, Monique Mokha, William J HanneyResearchers investigated the reliability of two common tools for measuring pain: the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where patients rate pain from 0 to 10, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The study included 60 part…
Myofascial painFibromyalgiapain scales - A++2017
Telocytes: Connective tissue repair and communication cells
Leon ChaitowThis commentary highlights a newly identified type of connective tissue cell called a telocyte. We already know that other cells, like fibroblasts, respond to mechanical forces from manual therapy, influencing tissue re…
mechanotransductiontelocytesinterstitial cellsregeneration - A++2017
Mitochondrial dysfunction in the APP/PSEN1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and a novel protective role for ascorbate
Shilpy Dixit, Joshua P Fessel, Fiona E HarrisonIn this animal study, researchers examined mitochondrial function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and in mice with low levels of vitamin C (ascorbate). The results indicated that both the presence of amyloid (as…
Alzheimer’s disease; mitochondria; oxidative stress; ascorbate; energy production - A++2017
Touch, Tension, and Transduction - The Function and Regulation of Piezo Ion Channels
Jason Wu, Amanda H Lewis, Jörg GrandlThis narrative review explores Piezo1 and Piezo2, specialized proteins that act as the body's primary mechanical sensors. These ion channels convert physical forces like touch, tension, and fluid flow into electrical si…
Mechanotransductionpiezo - A+++2017
Activation of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) by selective agonists regulates the deposition and remodelling of the extracellular matrix
Tao Guan, Guiyang Zhao, Honghui Duan, Yang Liu, Feng ZhaoThis in vitro study investigated how activating the type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) affects scar formation in eye connective tissue after surgery. Researchers found that human Tenon’s fibroblasts express these recept…
Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1); Tenon’s fibroblasts; Transforming growth factor-β1; Type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R); Wound healing - A2017
CT arthrography of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Are MR signs applicable?
Milena Cernya, Patrick Omoumia, Ahmed Larbi, Daniel Manicourt, Anne Perozziello, Frédéric Lecouvet, Bruno Vande Berg, B…This retrospective study investigated whether signs of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) typically seen on MRI could also be identified using CT arthrography (CTA). Researchers compared CTA scans from 22 patients wi…
frozen shoulderAdhesive capsulitisArthrographyRotator intervalCTA - C2017
Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (a.k.a. Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Type III and Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type): Clinical Description and Natural History
Brad Tinkle, Marco Castori, Britta Berglund, Helen Cohen, Rodney Grahame, Hanadi Kazkaz, Howard LevyThis 2017 review summarizes the clinical understanding of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), thought to be the most common hereditary disorder of connective tissue. It is primarily characterized by musculoskelet…
joint hypermobilityjoint hypermobility syndromeEhlers–Danlos syndrome type IIEhlers–Danlos syndrome hypermobility type - B2017
Fibromyalgia and microglial TNF-α: Translational research using human blood induced microglia-like cells
Masahiro Ohgidani, Takahiro A Kato, Masako Hosoi, Makoto Tsuda, Kohei Hayakawa, Chie Hayaki, Rie Iwaki, Noriaki Sagata,…Researchers are investigating the role of brain immune cells called microglia in fibromyalgia. This study used a new technique to create microglia-like cells from the blood of people with fibromyalgia and healthy indivi…
Fibromyalgiamikroglia - A2017
Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder Joint: Value of Glenohumeral Distance on Magnetic Resonance Arthrography
Kyu Hong Lee, Hee Jin Park, So Yeon Lee, In Young Youn, Eugene Kim, Jai Hyung Park, Se Jin ParkResearchers investigated a new way to help diagnose adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) using a specific type of MRI called MR arthrography. They measured the distance between the ball and socket of the shoulder joint…
Adhesive capsulitisMR imagingShoulderArthrography - A+2017
Effects of vitamin C supplementation on glycaemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
A W Ashor, A D Werner, J Lara, N D Willis, J C Mathers, M SiervoThis systematic review and meta-analysis compiled data from 22 randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of vitamin C supplementation on glycemic control. Overall, the researchers found no significant effect on…
Vitamin Cinsulin resistensglycaemic control - B2017
Evidence of both systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia patients, as assessed by a multiplex protein panel applied to the cerebrospinal fluid and to plasma
Emmanuel Bäckryd, Lars Tanum, Anne-Li Lind, Anders Larsson, Torsten GordhThis study investigated signs of inflammation in people with fibromyalgia (FM). Researchers analyzed 92 different inflammation-related proteins in both blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from 40 FM patients, comparing…
inflammationFibromyalgiacytokineschronic paincerebrospinal fluid