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+++2016
Resveratrol attenuated estrogen-deficient-induced cardiac dysfunction: role of AMPK, SIRT1, and mitochondrial function
Zijun Meng, Hongjiang Jing, Lu Gan, Hua Li, Bingde LuoThis animal study investigated how resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes, affects cardiac function in estrogen-deficient mice. Researchers found that resveratrol supplementation significantly improved heart co…
AMPK; Resveratrol; SIRT1; heart; ischemia; mitochondrion - A+++2016
Efficacy of an orally administered combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, curcumin and quercetin for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women
M Torella, F Del Deo, A Grimaldi, S A Iervolino, M Pezzella, C Tammaro, P Gallo, C Rappa, P De Franciscis, N ColacurciThis prospective study evaluated whether an oral supplement containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, curcumin, and quercetin could prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in postmenopausal women. Resea…
Curcumin; Estrogen; Glycosaminoglycans; Quercetin; Urinary tract infections - A++2016
Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
James P Lugo, Zainulabedin M Saiyed, Nancy E LaneThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Over a 180-day period, 191 volunteers received either 40 mg of UC…
osteoarthritisKnee functionT regulatorycellUndenaturedtype II collagen - A+++2016
Collagen Matrix Density Drives the Metabolic Shift in Breast Cancer Cells
Brett A Morris, Brian Burkel, Suzanne M Ponik, Jing Fan, John S Condeelis, Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso, James Castracane, Joh…This study used a 3D in vitro model to investigate how the density of the collagen matrix influences the metabolism of breast cancer cells. The researchers observed that a high-density extracellular matrix drives a meta…
Breast cancer; Collagen; Matrix density; Metabolism - A+++2016
A long-distance fluid transport pathway within fibrous connective tissues in patients with ankle edema
Hongyi Li, Chongqing Yang, Kuiyuan Lu, Liyang Zhang, Jiefu Yang, Fang Wang, Dongge Liu, Di Cui, Mingjun Sun, Jianxin Pa…This anatomical study investigated how fluid might drain from swollen ankles. Researchers injected a fluorescent dye into the skin of four lower legs scheduled for amputation to trace fluid movement. They observed that…
interstitial fluidConnective tissuesvascular circulations - A++2016
Fascial hierarchies and the relevance of crossed-helical arrangements of collagen to changes in shape; part II: The proposed effect of blood pressure (Traube-Hering-Mayer) waves on the fascia
Graham ScarrPeriodic changes in blood pressure, known as Traube-Hering-Mayer waves, are linked to respiration and nervous system activity. While complex and not fully understood, they can provide valuable clinical information. This…
Arterial pressure waveform; Collagen; Cranial rhythmic impulse; Fascia; Helix; Interstitial fluid flow; Mayer waves; Myofascia; Traube Hering - C2016
Coordinated integrin activation by actin-dependent force during T-cell migration
P Nordenfelt, H L Elliott, T A SpringerResearchers investigated how immune cells, specifically T-cells, generate the force needed to move. Using fluorescent tension sensors, they visualized the tension within integrins, which are proteins that help cells gri…
cytoskeletonIntegrinsactin - 1A+2016
STRETCHING IMPACTS INFLAMMATION RESOLUTION IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE
L Berrueta, I Muskaj, S Olenich, T Butler, G J Badger, R A Colas, M Spite, C N Serhan, H M LangevinIn this animal study, researchers investigated the effect of stretching on acute inflammation in the connective tissue of rats. After inducing local inflammation in the rats' backs, one group was subjected to twice-dail…
Stretching; SPM; Resolvin; Inflammation; Connective tissue - A+++2016
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Combined Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Injury and Movement Restriction in a Porcine Model
James H Bishop, James R Fox, Rhonda Maple, Caitlin Loretan, Gary J Badger, Sharon M Henry, Margaret A Vizzard, Helene M…This animal study used pigs to investigate how back fascia responds to injury and restricted movement. Researchers created a small injury in the thoracolumbar fascia and also limited movement in some of the pigs for eig…
chronic Low Back Painshear strainimmobilizationfascia mobilitythoracolumbar fascia thickness - A+2016
Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review
David G Behm, Anthony J Blazevich, Anthony D Kay, Malachy McHughThis systematic review examines how different types of stretching (static, dynamic, and PNF) affect performance, range of motion (ROM), and injury risk in healthy individuals. The findings suggest that static stretching…
ballistic stretch; dynamic stretch; facilitation neuromusculaire proprioceptive; flexibility; flexibilité; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; static stretch; warm-up - A++2016
Estrogen and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Ling Zhou, Anna Junjie Shangguan, Stacy Ann Kujawa, Katarzyna Bochenska, Lanmei Zhang, Serdar E Bulun, Hong ZhaoThis narrative review explores the relationship between estrogen and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition where pelvic organs descend from their normal positions. Research suggests that low estrogen levels, particul…
Pelvic organ prolapse; Estrogen; Estrogen receptor; Collagen; Matrix metalloproteinases - 1A+2016
Hormone receptor expression in human fascial tissue
Caterina Fede, G Albertin, L Petrelli, M M Sfriso, C Biz, R De Caro, Carla SteccoAdult women tend to experience more myofascial pain than men, and this study explored a possible hormonal link. Researchers examined fascial tissue from eight female volunteers, looking for receptors for the hormones es…
Fascia; fascial fibroblasts; estrogen; relaxin; immunostaining