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- A2015
Remodelling the extracellular matrix in development and disease
Caroline Bonnans, Jonathan Chou, Zena WerbThis narrative review describes the extracellular matrix (ECM), a dynamic network present in all body tissues that undergoes constant remodeling. This remodeling process is crucial for regulating cell functions like pro…
fasciaextracellular matrixstiffnessmechanotransductionmatrix remodeling - A2015
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
Katryn L Schwertfeger, Mary K Cowman, Patrick G Telmer, Eva A Turley, James B McCarthyThis narrative review explores the link between inflammation, the tissue component hyaluronan (HA), and breast cancer progression. Cancer cells and surrounding host cells can create an inflamed microenvironment that hel…
hyaluronaninflammationCD44fasciaBreast cancer - A+++2015
Optimal Vitamin D Supplementation Levels for Cardiovascular Disease Protection
Sebastian T Lugg, Phillip A Howells, David R ThickettThis narrative review explores the growing body of evidence linking vitamin D to cardiovascular health. While traditionally associated with bone health, data suggests vitamin D status may be a marker for, and possibly a…
vitamin DCardiovascular disease25-hydroxyvitamin D3 - A++2015
Estrogen inhibits lysyl oxidase and decreases mechanical function in engineered ligaments
Cassandra A Lee, Ann Lee-Barthel, Louise Marquino, Natalie Sandoval, George R Marcotte, Keith BaarThis lab study investigated why women are more likely to rupture their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than men, focusing on the role of estrogen. Researchers used human ACL cells to create engineered ligaments in a la…
ACL; exercise; tendon; ultimate tensile strength - 1A+2015
Fascia and Primo Vascular System
Chun Yang, Yi-kuan Du, Jian-bin Wu, JunWang, Ping Luan, Qin-lao Yang, Lin YuanIn this review article, the authors explore the idea that the body's network of fascia may be the physical structure corresponding to acupuncture meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They also discuss the pr…
fasciamechanotransductionprimo vascular systemBonghan systemfasciology - 1A+2015
Gymnastic Training and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Stride Quality and Increase Epaxial Muscle Size in Therapy Horses
Kátia de Oliveira, Ricardo V G Soutello, Ricardo da Fonseca, Ciniro Costa, Paulo R de L Meirelles, Daniele F Fachiolli,…This study on therapy horses investigated how specific exercises affect stride and back muscles. Over three months, nine horses were divided into three groups: a control group, one doing dynamic mobilization exercises,…
Hippotherapytherapeutic exercisedynamic mobilization exercisephysical trainingthree-dimensional movement - A2015
Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim
Vitaly Vodyanoy, Oleg Pustovyy, Ludmila Globa, Iryna SorokulovaIn the 1960s, researcher Bong Han Kim described a new vascular system, distinct from the blood and lymph systems, which he proposed was involved in tissue regeneration. However, his work was difficult for later scientis…
fasciaprimo vascular system - A+2015
The Heart, the Brain, and the Regulation of Emotion
Sarah N Garfinkel, Jessica A Eccles, Hugo D CritchleyThis research entry, summarized from its title, appears to explore the relationship between the heart, the brain, and how emotions are managed. It likely discusses how signals from the cardiovascular system, specificall…
psychology.psychiatryemotionsbody signals - A++2015
Telocytes in regenerative medicine
Yihua Bei, Fei Wang, Changqing Yang, Junjie XiaoThis 2015 review article summarizes research on telocytes, a distinct type of cell found in the connective tissue of many organs. These cells form a complex 3D network and are thought to play a key role in guiding stem…
interstitial cells; progenitor cells; regeneration; regenerative medicine; stem cells; telocytes. - C2015
Collagen Crosslinking Does Not Dictate Stiffness in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis
M A Chapman, R Pichika, R L LieberIn this animal study on mice, researchers investigated why fibrotic, or scarred, skeletal muscle becomes so stiff. While it is known that fibrosis involves an increase in collagen, the amount of collagen alone does not…
fibrosisstiffnesscollagen cross-linking - B2015
Hyaluronan Regulates Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7- dependent Prevention and Reversal of Myofibroblast Phenotype
Adam C Midgley, Lucy Duggal, Robert Jenkins, Vincent Hascall, Robert Steadman, Aled O Phillips, Soma MeranThis study on human lung fibroblasts investigated how a protein called BMP7 might counteract fibrosis. Researchers found that BMP7 can prevent and even reverse the formation of myofibroblasts, which are cells that contr…
hyaluronanMyofibroblastTGF-beta1 - A++2015
Neurovisceral phenotypes in the expression of psychiatric symptoms
Jessica A Eccles, Andrew P Owens, Christopher J Mathias, Satoshi Umeda, Hugo D CritchleyThis narrative review explores the idea that vulnerability to anxiety may be rooted in inherent physical differences in how the body is regulated. The authors focus on conditions like joint hypermobility, Postural Tachy…
joint hypermobilityAnxietypostural tachycardia syndromevasovagal syncopepsychiatry