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- 1A+2014
The Medium of Haptic Perception: A Tensegrity Hypothesis
Michael T Turvey, Sérgio T FonsecaIn this theoretical paper, the authors propose a new hypothesis for how our sense of touch, or haptic perception, works. Unlike other senses that have a clear medium (like air for sound), the haptic system lacks one. Th…
fasciaConnective tissuecytoskeletonhaptic systemmultifractal tensegrity - A++2014
Antioxidants, inflammation and cardiovascular disease
Harald Mangge, Kathrin Becker, Dietmar Fuchs, Johanna M GostnerThis narrative review explores the links between inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The authors explain that chronic immune activation in CVD leads to high levels of reactive oxygen specie…
Antioxidative therapy; Atherogenesis; Cardiovascular disease; Homocysteine; Neopterin; Nitric oxide; Oxidative stress; Tetrahydrobiopterin; Tryptophan; Vitamins. - A++2014
The role of collagen crosslinks in ageing and diabetes - the good, the bad, and the ugly
Jess G Snedeker, Alfonso GautieriThis narrative review explores how glucose in the body can bind to proteins like collagen, a process called glycation. This process creates crosslinks that can change the mechanical properties and function of connective…
collagenCrosslinksageingadvanced glycation endproductstendon mechanics - B2014
Mechanisms of Myofascial Pain
M Saleet JafriThis 2014 narrative review discusses the potential causes of myofascial pain. Myofascial pain syndrome is a common condition involving painful trigger points in muscle, but its precise mechanisms are not well understood…
fasciaMyofascial painMyofascial trigger points - A++2014
Low-intensity vibration improves angiogenesis and wound healing in diabetic mice
Eileen M Weinheimer-Haus, Stefan Judex, William J Ennis, Timothy J KohThis animal study investigated if whole-body low-intensity vibration (LIV) could improve chronic wound healing in diabetic mice. Mice with surgical wounds received either 30 minutes of daily vibration or a sham treatmen…
wound healingvibrationsdiabetic wounds - A2014
Clinical Relevance of Fascial Tissue and Dysfunctions
Werner Klingler, M Velders, K Hoppe, M Pedro, Robert SchleipFascia is a continuous network of connective tissue that supports the entire body. Traditionally seen as a passive structure, recent research shows it plays a more active role. Fascia contains contractile elements that…
fasciaMyofascial painlumbar fasciadysfunction - A++2014
Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone
William R Thompson, Sherwin S Yen, Janet RubinThis review article explores vibration therapy as a way to mimic the positive effects of physical activity on bone and muscle, especially for frail individuals who cannot exercise. Animal and human studies suggest that…
low-intensity vibration; mesenchymal stem cells; osteocyte; osteoporosis - A+++2014
Case study: Could ultrasound and elastography visualized densified areas inside the deep fascia?
Carla Stecco fasciacyteIn this case study, researchers used ultrasound and elastography to visualize the deep fascia of a 40-year-old male with calf pain. The imaging techniques allowed them to see changes in the fascia's gliding, echogenicit…
Fascia; Myofascial pain; Fascial manipulation; Manual therapy; Densification; Gliding; Sliding system - A2014
Vitamin C in the Treatment and/or Prevention of Obesity
Diego Fernando GARCIA-DIAZ, Patricia LOPEZ-LEGARREA, Pablo QUINTERO, Jose Alfredo MARTINEZIn this 2014 narrative review, the authors examine the relationship between vitamin C and obesity. Obesity is often linked to oxidative stress, which can lead to other health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular dise…
Oxidative stressAscorbic acidantioxidantbody weight - A++2014
Age- and diabetes-related nonenzymatic crosslinks in collagen fibrils: Candidate amino acids involved in Advanced Glycation End-products
Alfonso Gautieri, Alberto Redaelli, Markus J Buehler, Simone VesentiniAdvanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) are harmful crosslinks that form in collagen with aging and in diabetes, making tissues stiffer. However, the exact location of these crosslinks has been unclear. In this theoretic…
Advanced glycation end-products; Ageing; Atomistic simulations; Collagen; Crosslinks; Diabetes. - A2014
Whey protein hydrolysate augments tendon and muscle hypertrophy independent of resistance exercise contraction mode
J Farup, S K Rahbek, M H Vendelbo, A Matzon, J Hindhede, A Bejder, S Ringgard, K VissingThis study investigated the effects of resistance training combined with either whey protein or a placebo on muscle and tendon growth. Twenty-two participants performed 12 weeks of knee extension training, using eccentr…
patellar tendonstrength trainingeccentric trainingconcentric trainingrate of force development - A2014
The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Jeppe Bo Lauersen, Ditte Marie Bertelsen, Lars Bo AndersenThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined 25 studies to evaluate which types of exercise best prevent sports injuries. The analysis included over 26,000 participants and data on more than 3,400 injuries. Researc…
exercisesinjury prevention