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- A2014
Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in three stances under graded loading conditions: Proposing a tensegrity model for load transfer through the sacroiliac joints
Hamed Pardehshenas, Nader Maroufi, Mohammad Ali Sanjari, Mohamad Parnianpour, Stephen M LevinResearchers investigated how lumbopelvic muscles activate to stabilize the sacroiliac (SI) joints under different loads. They compared muscle activity in 30 men during two-legged and one-legged standing while holding we…
fasciasacroiliac jointload transferwire-spoke wheel modelarch theory; Self-bracing - A2014
Biotensegrity of the extracellular matrix: physiology, dynamic mechanical balance, and implications in oncology and mechanotherapy
Irene Tadeo, Ana P Berbegall, Luis M Escudero,Tomás Álvaro, Rosa NogueraThis 2014 review article explores the concept of biotensegrity, a principle where cells and tissues maintain structural integrity through a balance of tension and compression. This dynamic mechanical balance involves th…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerbiotensegritymechanotherapy - A+++2014
The active role of vitamin C in mammalian iron metabolism: much more than just enhanced iron absorption!
Darius J R Lane, Des R RichardsonThis review explores how vitamin C (ascorbate) plays a sophisticated role in mammalian iron metabolism beyond simply enhancing absorption in the gut. Evidence suggests that vitamin C regulates how cells take up, store,…
Ascorbate; Dcytb; Ferritin; Free radicals; HIF; IRP; Iron; Transferrin; Vitamin C - A2014
Hyaluronan Synthase 2 Protects Skin Fibroblasts against Apoptosis Induced by Environmental Stress
Yan Wang, Mark E Lauer, Sanjay Anand, Judith A Mack, Edward V MaytinSkin fibroblasts need to manage environmental stress, such as UV radiation. This study on mouse cells investigated how hyaluronan (HA) and the enzymes that produce it help fibroblasts survive. Researchers found that cel…
Apoptosis; Caspase; Extracellular Matrix; Fibroblast; Hyaluronan; Skin; Stress. - A++2014
Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin
Chinatsu Kawada, Takushi Yoshida, Hideto Yoshida, Ryosuke Matsuoka, Wakako Sakamoto, Wataru Odanaka, Toshihide Sato, Ta…This review article summarizes research on how oral hyaluronan (HA) supplements may influence skin hydration levels. Studies suggest that a daily intake of 120–240 mg of hyaluronic acid can contribute to increased moist…
hyaluronanhaHyaluronic acidSkinsupplementation - A2014
Mapping Sensory Nerve Communications Between Peripheral Nerve Territories
ADIL LADAK, R SHANE TUBBS, ROBERT J SPINNERIn this literature review, researchers examined the traditional maps of skin sensation, known as dermatomes. They searched for evidence of direct communications between sensory nerves from different, adjacent spinal ner…
dermatomes; nerve; communications; map; cutaneous; sensory - A2014
Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in-vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia
K Hoppe, Robert Schleip, F Lehmann-Horn, Heike J€ager, Werner KlinglerMalignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but serious reaction to general anesthesia, diagnosed using a test on a skeletal muscle biopsy. Since muscle samples also contain fascia, which has contractile cells called myofibro…
myofibroblastsmalignant hyperthermiafascial tissuecontraction - 1A+2014
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
P G Pavan, Antonio Stecco, R Stern, Carla SteccoIn this review article, the authors describe two types of fascial changes that can cause pain: densification and fibrosis. Densification is described as a reversible alteration in the viscosity of the loose connective t…
hyaluronanfasciafibrosisdensificationConnective tissue - A2014
A decorin-deficient matrix affects skin chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels and keratinocyte function
Katerina Nikolovska, Jana K Renke, Oliver Jungmann, Kay Grobe, Renato V Iozzo, Alina D Zamfir, Daniela G SeidlerThis study in mice investigated how the absence of a proteoglycan called decorin affects skin structure and function. Researchers found that mice lacking decorin had an altered composition of other sugar molecules (chon…
extracellular matrixDecorinSLRPDermatan sulfateFibroblast growth factor - A++2014
Ultra-weak photon emission from biological samples: Definition, mechanisms, properties, detection and applications
Michal Cifra, Pavel PospíšilThis review article summarizes the current understanding of ultra-weak photon emission (UPE), a faint light naturally produced by living organisms. This light, a form of chemiluminescence, is generated during normal met…
biophotonsChemiluminescenceOxidative stressSinglet oxygenCharge coupled device - A+2014
Cartilage repair using human embryonic stem cell-derived chondroprogenitors
AIXIN CHENG, ZOHER KAPACEE, JIANG PENG, SHIBI LU, ROBERT J LUCAS, TIMOTHY E HARDINGHAM, SUSAN J KIMBERIn this animal study, researchers developed a method to turn human embryonic stem cells into cartilage-forming cells under laboratory conditions. These new cells were then implanted into cartilage defects in the knee jo…
arthritistissue regenerationCell transplantationEmbryonic stem cell - 1A+2014
Hyaluronan: Biosynthesis and signaling
D Vigetti, E Karousou, M Viola, S Deleonibus, G De Luca, A PassiThis 2014 narrative review discusses hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix. Beyond its structural role in tissue hydration and architecture, HA is an active signaling molecule. The authors highlig…
extracellular matrixGlycosaminoglycanAMPKO-GlcNacylationHyaluronan receptor