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- B2006
Viscoelastic Retraction of Single Living Stress Fibers and Its Impact on Cell Shape, Cytoskeletal Organization, and Extracellular Matrix Mechanics
Sanjay Kumar, Iva Z Maxwell, Alexander Heisterkamp, Thomas R Polte, Tanmay P Lele, Matthew Salanga, Eric Mazur, Donald…Cells maintain their shape and interact with their surroundings using internal tension cables called stress fibers. Using a microscopic laser to cut individual stress fibers inside living cells, researchers studied how…
extracellular matrixcytoskeletonactinstress fiber - 1A+2006
Cellular mechanotransduction: putting all the pieces together again
D E IngberThis review discusses how cells sense and respond to mechanical forces, a process called mechanotransduction. While many individual molecules involved in this process have been identified, it is less clear how they work…
mechanical ! mechanosensation ! mechanochemical ! prestress ! tensegrity - A2006
Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: evaluation with MR arthrography
Joon-Yong Jung, Won-Hee Jee, Ho Jong Chun, Yang-Soo Kim, Yang Guk Chung, Jung-Man KimThis study evaluated the usefulness of MR arthrography for diagnosing adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. Researchers retrospectively analyzed images from 28 patients, half with the condition and half se…
frozen shoulderAdhesive capsulitisShoulderMagnetic resonanceArthrography - A+2006
Dynamic Shear Stimulation of Bovine Cartilage Biosynthesis of Proteoglycan 4
Gayle E Nugent, Nicole M Aneloski, Tannin A Schmidt, Barbara L Schumacher, Michael S Voegtline, Robert L SahThis laboratory study on cartilage from young cows investigated how mechanical forces affect the production of a key lubricating molecule, proteoglycan 4 (PRG4). Researchers applied different types of loads to cartilage…
ProteoglycansCartilagePRG4dynamic shear stressstatic compression - B2006
Hyaluronan fragments: An information-rich system
Robert Stern, Akira A Asari, Kazuki N SugaharaThis narrative review explores the diverse roles of hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix. Despite its simple chemical structure, HA's biological function changes dramatically and often opposition…
hyaluronanextracellular matrixglycosaminoglycanshyaluronidaseOligosaccharides - A2006
Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms
H M Langevin, K J ShermanThis paper proposes a theoretical model for how chronic low back pain might develop and persist. The authors hypothesize that fear of pain leads to reduced movement, which in turn causes physical changes and inflammatio…
fasciaConnective tissuechronic Low Back Painneuroplasticityconnective tissue remodeling - A++2006
Low-intensity tensile loading increases intratendinous glucose uptake in the Achilles tendon
J Bojsen-Møller, K K Kalliokoski, M Seppänen, M Kjaer, S P MagnussonTendons have traditionally been considered to have low metabolic activity, but this study investigated whether light loading could affect this. Six participants performed low-intensity, intermittent calf muscle contract…
tendon metabolism; tendon mechanical function; connective tissue; imaging - B2006
Letter to the Editor concerning ‘‘A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction’’ (M. Panjabi)
Robert Schleip, Andry Vleeming, Frank Lehmann-Horn, Werner KlinglerThis letter to the editor comments on a hypothesis that chronic back pain can arise from minor injuries to spinal ligaments, disrupting their sensory function and leading to faulty muscle control. The authors agree with…
Thoracolumbar fasciaproprioceptionlow back painBiomechanicsHypothesis - A++2006
Quantum Events of Biophoton Emission Associated with Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies: A Descriptive Pilot Study
Marius Hossu, Ronald RupertThis descriptive pilot study investigated biophoton emission (BPE), an ultra-low level of light emitted by living organisms that may reflect overall health status. Researchers measured BPE from the neck and lower back o…
fasciaManual Therapybiophotonsultraweak photons - B2006
Hyaluronan Fragments Act as an Endogenous Danger Signal by Engaging TLR2
Kara A Scheibner, Michael A Lutz, Sada Boodoo, Matthew J Fenton, Jonathan D Powell, Maureen R HortonHyaluronan (HA) is a common component of the body's connective tissue. This study investigates how different sizes of HA molecules affect the immune system. When tissue is injured, large HA molecules are broken down int…
hyaluronanhafasciaextracellular matrixtisssue - A++2006
Distribution and change of collagen types I and III and elastin in developing leg muscle in rat
Tomoyuki Kurose, Youko Asai, Emiko Mori, Daisuke Daitoku, Seiichi KawamataThis animal study on rats investigated how the connective tissue components collagen types I and III and elastin develop in leg muscles from birth to eight weeks of age. The results show that muscle connective tissue de…
CollagenMyofascia - A2006
Migration of tumor cells in 3D matrices is governed by matrix stiffness along with cell-matrix adhesion and proteolysis
Muhammad H Zaman, Linda M Trapani, Alisha L Sieminski, Drew MacKellar, Haiyan Gong, Roger D Kamm, Alan Wells, Douglas A…This study investigated how tumor cells move in a three-dimensional environment similar to body tissues. Researchers found that in addition to the cell's ability to adhere to and pull on its surroundings, the stiffness…
extracellular matrixmatrix metalloproteinasecell motilityEGF receptor