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- A2016
Human Recombinant Hyaluronidase Injections For Upper Limb Muscle Stiffness in Individuals With Cerebral Injury: A Case Series
Preeti Raghavan, Ying Lu, Mona Mirchandani, Antonio SteccoThis case series investigated injections of the enzyme hyaluronidase to treat upper limb muscle stiffness in 20 individuals with cerebral injury. The researchers hypothesized that an accumulation of hyaluronan in the mu…
fasciaConnective tissueStrokeHypertoniaspasticity - B2016
Hyaluronic Acid in Inflammation and Tissue Regeneration
Malgorzata Litwiniuk, Alicja Krejner, Tomasz GrzelaThis review article summarizes the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in tissue healing. As a main component of the extracellular matrix, HA is a key player in tissue regeneration. Interestingly, its effects depend on its mol…
hyaluronic acid; extracellular matrix; wound healing; Inflammation - A2016
Remote effects of lower limb stretching: preliminary evidence for myofascial connectivity?
Jan Wilke, Daniel Niederer, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis study investigated whether stretching the lower body could affect neck mobility. Twenty-six healthy participants were divided into two groups, with one group performing static stretches for the calf and hamstring m…
Myofascial chains; force transmission; fascia; meridians - A2016
Telocytes and Their Extracellular Vesicles—Evidence and Hypotheses
Dragos Cretoiu, Jiahong Xu, Junjie Xiao, Sanda M CretoiuThis narrative review discusses telocytes, a relatively new type of interstitial cell found throughout the body's connective tissues. These cells are characterized by long projections and are involved in communication b…
telocytes; telopodes; extracellular vesicles; exosomes; ectosomes - A2016
New evidence of a dynamic fascial maintenance and self-repair process
Leon ChaitowThis 2016 publication by Leon Chaitow has not yet been summarized in detail. Based on its title, the article appears to present new findings that highlight the dynamic processes of fascial maintenance and self-repair. W…
Myofascial self repair - 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
Cystocele and functional anatomy of the pelvic floor: review and update of the various theories
Géry Lamblin, Emmanuel Delorme, Michel Cosson, Chrystèle RubodThis narrative review examines different anatomical theories about how the pelvic floor supports the bladder. The researchers summarize that this support involves a complex interplay of the pubocervical fascia, endopelv…
Pelvic floor . Cystocele . Connective tissue . Anatomy . Endopelvic fascia . Pelvic mobility - A2016
Intermuscular force transmission along myofascial chains: a systematic review
Frieder Krause, Jan Wilke, Lutz Vogt, Winfried BanzerThis systematic review examined evidence for force transmission along continuous lines of muscle and fascia, often called myofascial chains. Researchers analyzed nine studies of moderate to excellent quality that invest…
anatomy trains; fascia; myofascial continuity; tension transfer - A2016
Is remote stretching based on myofascial chains as effective as local exercise? A randomised-controlled trial
Jan Wilke, L Vogt, D Niederer, W BanzerThis randomized controlled trial investigated whether stretching the lower limbs could improve neck mobility as effectively as direct neck stretching. Researchers divided 63 healthy participants into three groups: one s…
Myofascial chains; force transmission; fascia; meridians; MiSpEx - A2016
Vitamin C Protects Chondrocytes against Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis by Multiple Pathways
Pu-Rong Chiu, Yu-Chen Hu, Tzu-Ching Huang, Bau-Shan Hsieh, Jou-Pei Yeh, Hsiao-Ling Cheng, Li-Wen Huang, Kee-Lung ChangIn this study using rat and cell models, researchers investigated if vitamin C could protect cartilage cells against osteoarthritis-like damage. The results showed that vitamin C reduced oxidative stress, inflammation,…
chondrocyte; interleukin; matrix metalloproteinase; osteoarthritis; vitamin C - A+++2016
Effects of whole body vibration exercises on bone mineral density of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications: novel findings and literature review
C F Dionello, D Sá-Caputo, H Vfs Pereira, C R Sousa-Gonçalves, A I Maiworm, D S Morel, E Moreira-Marconi, L L Paineiras…This systematic review examines the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are not taking medication. By analyzing twelve studies, researche…
postmenopausbone densitywhole body vibrationvibration; osteoporosis - A2015
The fascial system and exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure: hypothesis of osteopathic treatment
Bruno Bordoni, F MarelliThis hypothesis paper proposes a connection between the fascial system and exercise intolerance in people with chronic heart failure. The authors note that heart failure is a complex disease affecting the entire body, l…
fasciaManual TherapyOsteopathicfatiguechronic heart failure