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
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 - B2016
Connecting (T)issues: How Research in Fascia Biology Can Impact Integrative Oncology
Helene M Langevin, Patricia Keely, Jun Mao, Lisa M Hodge, Robert Schleip, Gary Deng, Boris Hinz, Melody A Swartz, Bever…Many cancer patients use complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, and yoga to improve their quality of life. This review article suggests these treatments may have further benefits by affecting the body's conn…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerConnective tissue - A2016
Hyaluronan concentration and size distribution in human knee synovial fluid: variations with age and cartilage degeneration
Michele M Temple-Wong, Shuwen Ren, Phu Quach, Bradley C Hansen, Albert C Chen, Akihiko Hasegawa, Darryl D D’Lima, Jim K…This study investigated how the lubricant hyaluronan in knee joint fluid changes with age and cartilage wear. Researchers analyzed synovial fluid from human donors aged 23 to 91 without diagnosed osteoarthritis. They fo…
hyaluronanAgingSynovial fluidDegeneration - A2016
Systemic inflammatory profiles and their relationships with demographic, behavioural and clinical features in acute low back pain
David M Klyne, Mary F Barbe, Paul W HodgesThis study investigated systemic inflammation in acute low back pain, which is less studied than inflammation in chronic conditions. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 99 individuals within two weeks of LBP onset a…
Pro-inflammatory cytokinesC-reactive protein (CRP)Interleukin-6 (IL-6)Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) - A+++2016
A Diet Mimicking Fasting Promotes Regeneration and Reduces Autoimmunity and Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
In Young Choi, Laura Piccio, Patra Childress, Bryan Bollman, Arko Ghosh, Sebastian Brandhorst, Jorge Suarez, Andreas Mi…This study investigates how a periodic fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) affects symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) using mouse models and preliminary human trials. In animal models, the diet reduced inflammation and promot…
Fasting-mimicking diet; Intermittent fasting; Time-restricted eating; autoimmunity; multiple sclerosis - A2016
Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model
Joshua D Boucher, Jose FigueroaThis case report describes a 28-year-old man with chronic shoulder pain and severely limited movement, 18 months after an injury. His condition, similar to a frozen shoulder, involved significant pain and an inability t…
frozen shoulderfascial distortion modelrange of motion - A2016
Collagen structure: new tricks from a very old dog
Jordi BellaThis narrative review summarizes how our understanding of collagen's triple helix structure has evolved. Initial models from the 1950s provided a general overview, but the development of synthetic collagen-like peptides…
collagen recognitioncollagen stabilitycollagen structurehydrogen bondingprotein design and engineering. - 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
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us?
Tarique Hussain, Bie Tan, Yulong Yin, Francois Blachier, Myrlene C B Tossou, Najma RahuThis narrative review explores the link between oxidative stress and inflammation, focusing on how plant-derived polyphenols may mitigate these processes. Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species overwhelm t…
inflammationOxidative stresspolyphenols - A2016
Patterns of attachment of the myodural bridge by the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
Xiao-Ying Yuan, Sheng-Bo Yu, Yun-Fei Li, Yan-Yan Chi, Nan Zheng, Hai-Bin Gao, Bing-Yi Luan, Zhao-Xi Zhang, Hong-Jin SuiThis anatomical study used dissection and plastination techniques to examine the myodural bridge, a small tissue connection in the upper neck. Researchers focused on the attachments of the rectus capitis posterior minor…
Myodural Bridgerectus capitis posterior minor muscleChronic cervicogenic headacheCirculation of cerebrospinal fluidPlastination technology - A2016
Overlapping signatures of chronic pain in the DNA methylation landscape of prefrontal cortex and peripheral T cells
Renaud Massart, Sergiy Dymov, Magali Millecamps, Matthew Suderman, Stephanie Gregoire, Kevin Koenigs, Sebastian Alvarad…In this animal study, researchers investigated how chronic pain might be linked to epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation. They compared rats with long-term nerve injury pain to a control group, examining tiss…
immune systemchronic painCentral nervous systemcortexDNA methylation - A+++2016
Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies
Melissa A Moser, Ock K ChunThis review examines the relationship between vitamin C and heart health by analyzing data from epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Research suggests that vitamin C may protect blood vessels by preventing the o…
cardiovascular disease; clinical trials; meta-analyses; observational cohort studies; vitamin C.