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++2021
Altering Dynamics of Autonomic Processing Therapy (ADAPT) trial: a novel, targeted treatment for reducing anxiety in joint hypermobility
Geoff Davies, Jenny L L Csecs, Heather Ball, Jess Dare, Stephen Bremner, Robin Hosking, Hugo D Critchley, Nick Grey, Je…This paper describes the protocol for a clinical trial investigating a new therapy for anxiety in people with joint hypermobility. The proposed therapy, called ADAPT, combines bio-behavioral training with cognitive appr…
InteroceptionhypermobilityAnxietyCBTRCT - A+++2021
Connecting brain and body: Transdiagnostic relevance of connective tissue variants to neuropsychiatric symptom expression
Harriet Emma Clare Sharp, Hugo D Critchley, Jessica A EcclesThis narrative review explores the growing evidence linking joint hypermobility, a common connective tissue variant, with a range of psychiatric conditions. The authors summarize the well-established connection to anxie…
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; Joint hypermobility; Mind-body relations; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Psychiatric disorders; Psychopathology. - A2021
Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2021, Part 1
Bruno Bordoni, Allan R Escher, Filippo Tobbi, Antonio Pranzitelli, Luigi PianeseThis review article discusses the need for clear, scientifically grounded terminology for the fascial system. The authors, representing the FORCE organization, emphasize the importance of an impartial approach to fascia…
fasciafascial systemOsteopathicfascial continuumfascintegrity - A++2021
Beyond bones: The relevance of variants of connective tissue (hypermobility) to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification: an observational study
Jessica A Eccles, Beth Thompson, Kristy Themelis, Marisa L Amato, Robyn Stocks, Amy Pound, Anna-Marie Jones, Zdenka Cip…This observational study investigated the link between hypermobility, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS. Researchers found a significant overlap in symptoms between fibromyalgia and ME/CFS in the patient group. A large majority…
FibromyalgiapainfatiguehypermobilityME/CFS - A+++2021
A Closer Look at the Cellular and Molecular Components of the Deep/Muscular Fasciae
Caterina Fede, Carmelo Pirri, Chenglei Fan, Lucia Petrelli, Diego Guidolin, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoThis narrative review describes fascia as a complex and dynamic connective tissue network. This network is composed of different cell types, an extracellular matrix, and nerve fibers. Each component plays a specific rol…
fascia; cells; extracellular matrix; nerve - A+++2021
Evidence of a new hidden neural network into deep fasciae
Caterina Fede, Lucia Petrelli, Diego Guidolin, Andrea Porzionato, Carmelo Pirri, Chenglei Fan, Raffaele De Caro, Carla…In this study on mice, researchers examined the nerve networks within two different types of deep fascia: the thoracolumbar fascia (in the lower back) and the gluteal fascia (around the buttock muscles). They found that…
deep fasciainnervation of fascia. low back pain - A+++2021
Fascia Mobility, Proprioception, and Myofascial Pain
Helene M LangevinThe body's fascial network is a crucial, yet often overlooked, component of the musculoskeletal system. Its ability to allow muscles and other tissues to slide past one another is essential for healthy movement and may…
fascia; interoception; proprioception; myofascial pain; connective tissue; fascia mobility - A+++2021
Hyaluronan and the Fascial Frontier
Rebecca L PrattThis narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in the body's fascial system. HA is a key component of the extracellular matrix, widely used in products from skin creams to joint injections for its ability to…
HA; connective tissue; densification; extracellular matrix; fascia; fasciacyte; gliding; hyaluronan; hyaluronic acid; myofascial pain. - A++2021
Fascial or Muscle Stretching? A Narrative Review
Carla Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Caterina Fede, Can A Yucesoy, Raffaele De Caro, Antonio SteccoIn this narrative review, the authors explore what actually happens in the body during stretching. While it's traditionally been assumed that stretching acts on muscles and tendons, this analysis of tissue mechanics sug…
fascia; biomechanics; exercise; injury and prevention; musculoskeletal; stretching - A+++2021
Parameter-Dependency of Low-Intensity Vibration for Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice
Rita E Roberts, Onur Bilgen, Rhonda D Kineman, Timothy J KohIn this animal study on diabetic mice, researchers investigated how different settings of low-intensity vibration affect wound healing. The mice were exposed to various combinations of vibration frequency and accelerati…
wound healingAngiogenesisgrowth factorsdiabeteslow-intensity vibration - A++2021
Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Piezo1 Activated by Matrix Stiffness Regulates Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence and Apoptosis in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Bingjin Wang, Wencan Ke, Kun Wang, Gaocai Li, Liang Ma, Saideng Lu, Qian Xiang, Zhiwei Liao, Rongjin Luo, Yu Song, Wenb…This study investigates how the mechanical environment of the intervertebral disc influences cellular health during disc degeneration. Researchers found that as the central part of the disc (nucleus pulposus) becomes st…
mechanotransductionOxidative stressPiezo1Ion channel - A+++2021
Reconnecting the Brain with the Rest of the Body in Musculoskeletal Pain Research
Helene M LangevinIn this commentary, the author argues that musculoskeletal pain research is often siloed into separate specialties like neuroscience, physical therapy, orthopedics, and rheumatology. This separation creates gaps in know…
Musculoskeletal pain; chronic pain; muscle; connective tissue; mind and body practices