Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41574194›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in physiology2025

Alterations in intramuscular connective tissue in hypertonic muscle: a scoping review.

Xiaoxiao Zhao, Yunfeng Sun, Caterina Fede, Carmelo Pirri, Wei Gong, Alessandra Del Felice, Carla Stecco

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in physiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xiaoxiao ZhaoInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Yunfeng SunInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Caterina FedeInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Carmelo PirriInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Wei GongRehabilitation medicine Department, Dongguan Kanghua Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Alessandra Del FelicePadova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Carla SteccoInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Muscle hypertonia is a common symptom in patients with upper motor neuron disorders. To date, the role of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) alterations in hypertonic muscle has not been fully explored. This review aimed to identify and characterize alterations in IMCT components in hypertonic muscle in central neurological disorders. Methods: This scoping review included studies investigating IMCT alterations in hypertonic muscles resulting from central neurological disorders. Four electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched to identify relevant studies published prior to 20 July 2025. The review followed the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. The risk of bias was evaluated using ROBINS-E. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized according to IMCT categories. Results: Twelve studies were included. Among the included studies, increased collagen, glycosaminoglycan content, fascia thickness, and fibroblasts, as well as altered IMCT structural properties, were found in hypertonic muscles. The collagen content was found to be positively correlated with spasticity and stiffness. A key limitation of these studies is that all participants were in the chronic stage of the neurological disease. Conclusion: This scoping review provides evidence that alterations in IMCT components in muscle with hypertonia occur across different neurological conditions. Targeting these changes may provide a new intervention strategy to reduce muscle stiffness and improve the muscle function of patients with hypertonia secondary to neurological disease.

Indexed as

collagenextracellular matrixfasciahypertoniaintramuscular connective tissue

Identifiers

PMID41574194
PMCPMC12819202

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.