A preliminary investigation into the impact of shock wave therapy and sonotherapy on postural control of stepping tasks in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Objective: The outcomes of physical therapy are commonly assessed with subjective scales and questionnaires. Hence, a continuous search to identify diagnostic tests that would facilitate objective assessment of symptom reduction in those patients with Achilles tendinopathy who undergo mechanotherapy. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of shock wave and ultrasound treatments, using objective posturographic assessment during step-up and step-down initiation. Materials and methods: The patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy and pain lasting for more than 3 months were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups, i.e., radial shock wave therapy (RSWT), ultrasound therapy, or placebo ultrasound. All groups also received deep friction massage as the primary therapy. The transitional locomotor task was performed with the affected and unaffected limb in random order, on two force platforms under two conditions (step-up and step-down). The recording of center of foot pressure displacements was divided into three phases: quiet standing before step-up/step-down, transit, and quiet standing until measurement completion. Pre-intervention measurements were performed and then short-term follow-ups at weeks 1 and 6 post-therapy. Results: The three-way repeated measures ANOVA showed few statistically significant two-factor interactions between therapy type, time point of measurement and the type of the locomotor task. Significant increases in postural sway were observed in the entire study population throughout the follow-up period. Three-way ANOVAs revealed a group effect (shock wave vs. ultrasound) on almost all variables of the quiet standing phase prior to step-up/step-down initiation. Overall, postural stability before the step-up and step-down tasks appeared to be more efficient in patients who had undergone RSWT compared to the ultrasound group. Conclusion: Objective posturographic assessment during step-up and step-down initiation did not demonstrate therapeutic superiority of any of the three therapeutic interventions used in patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was prospectively registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no. ACTRN12617000860369; registration date: 9.06.2017).

Analysis of pain intensity and postural control for assessing the efficacy of shock wave therapy and sonotherapy in Achilles tendinopathy - A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The troublesome symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy prompt patients to seek effective forms of conservative treatment. The main aim of the study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of shock wave and ultrasound therapies for Achilles tendinopathy in reducing pain intensity. Treatment efficacy was also assessed using objective posturographic measurements. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients patients were randomly allocated to one of three experimental groups that received shock wave therapy (group A), ultrasound therapy (group B) and placebo ultrasound (group C). Posturographic measurements and subjective assessment of pain intensity were taken prior to therapy and at weeks 1 and 6 of therapy completion. FINDINGS: A comparison of percentage change in activity-related pain from baseline to 6 weeks post-therapy revealed a significantly greater pain reduction in group A compared to group B. The three-way ANOVA demonstated an effect of treatment type on all posturographic variables. The Bonferroni post-hoc test showed the means of all variables were significantly smaller for group A than group B. Limb condition also had an effect on the center-of-pressure trajectories in anteroposterior plane; the post-hoc test showed the mean values of the variables were significantly greater for the non-affected compared to affected limb. INTERPRETATION: Shock wave therapy was significantly more effective than sonotherapy for alleviation of activity-related pain of Achilles tendinopathy. An association was also shown between shock wave therapy and more efficient postural control in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The parameters of center-of-pressure trajectories in the sagittal plane were significantly greater for the non-affected compared to affected limb. The trial was prospectively registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no. ACTRN12617000860369; registration date: 9.06.2017).

Treatment of Jumper's Knee with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for athletes with patellar tendinopathy. We searched PubMed, EBSCOHost and Ovid for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of ESWT in athletes with jumper's knee. The methodological quality of RCTs was rated with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Data in the meta-analysis were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. Of 192 records identified, a total of seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The ESWT and control groups with any other conservative treatment did not differ significantly with respect to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) long-term scores obtained at ≥ 6 months of therapy completion (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -4.64 to 3.98; p = 0.87; I2= 98%). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between the ESWT and control groups regarding the pooled Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment for Patella (VISA-P) scores for long-term outcomes (SMD: 8.21; 95% CI: -39.3 to 55.73; p = 0.73; I2= 99%). The ESWT and control groups did not differ significantly on the VAS and VISA-P scores for long-term outcomes. In both cases, heterogeneity was considered to be high. Hence, no clear and generalized conclusions can be drawn regarding ESWT effectiveness in athletes with patellar tendinopathy.

The Thermal Influence of an Electromagnetic Field with a Radio Frequency Depending on the Type of Electrode Used.

Diathermy is a method used in physiotherapy based on obtaining an increase in temperature by supplying energy from the electromagnetic field to the tissues. The aim of this retrospective work, based on the data included in a medical documentation, was to assess the dynamics of temperature changes on the body surface after the application of a high-frequency electromagnetic field depending on the type of electrode used. In order to generate a radio frequency electromagnetic field, an INDIBA ACTIV® CT9 was used. In order to measure the temperature, an HT-17 thermovision camera was used, enabling measurements within the range of -20 to 300 °C, with an accuracy of ±2% or 2 °C. The participants consisted of 30 healthy subjects (15 women and 15 men) who were physiotherapy students in the Faculty of Public Health in the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Poland; they were divided into two comparative groups (A and B). It was found that the differences between the groups were not significant in the measurements carried out before using the electrode (p = 0.84; Mann-Whitney U test). On the other hand, at 0, 5 and 15 min, statistically significant differences were noted in the tissue temperature between the groups, depending on the electrode used (p = 0.00; Mann-Whitney U test). Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that with the extension of the observation time, the tissue temperature increased (for Group A, Me 30.40 °C vs. 34.90 °C; for Group B, Me 30.70 °C vs. 35.20 °C). Our study confirmed that the use of both a capacitive and resistive electrode during treatment with the use of a high-frequency electromagnetic field statistically significantly increased the surface temperature of the area to which the therapy was applied. The results of the study can be used in clinical practice by physiotherapists to optimize the conditions of therapy.

Fascial Manipulation Method Is Effective in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain, but the Treatment Protocol Matters: A Randomised Control Trial-Preliminary Report.

Background: There are many therapeutic methods targeting fascia. However, the only method whose basic assumption is to eliminate the densification of fascia is Fascial Manipulation. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of various Fascial Manipulation (FM) protocols in reducing myofascial pain. Design: Randomized control trial. Subjects: A total of 54 individuals, aged 18-29 years, with musculoskeletal pain for at least 1 week. Methods: The patients were divided into four groups subjected to different treatment protocols: group 1-underwent the standard FM treatment protocol (STP), group 2-modified protocol (MTP), group 3-modified protocol 2 (MTP2), and the control group (CG)-did not undergo any therapy. Each protocol involved three treatments at intervals of 7-10 days and a follow-up examination after 30 days. The outcome was pain level measured using the VAS. Results: In the STP, all the measurements showed a significant decrease in pain level-the mean difference was 2.077 after the first treatment, 3.462 after the third treatment and 3.385 in the follow-up. In the MTP, a significant mean difference was noted after the third treatment, 3, and in the follow up, 2.4. In the MTP2, it was noted after the third session, 2, and in the follow up, 2.25. Only the CG group did not display significant changes. Conclusions: FM-based therapy results in pain relief. However, there are differences in the dynamics and durability of the results depending on the chosen protocol.

A comparative study of the efficacy of radial and focused shock wave therapy for tennis elbow depending on symptom duration.

INTRODUCTION: In physical therapy, the duration and severity of pain complaints determine the choice of an appropriate physical agent and parameters needed. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of focused and radial shock waves for tennis elbow with respect to the dysfunction period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients with acute (n = 27) and chronic (n = 31) tennis elbow were randomly assigned to a treatment arm: focused shock wave therapy (3 sessions, 2000 shocks, 4 Hz, 0.2 mJ/mm²) or radial shock wave therapy (3 sessions, 2000 shocks, 8 Hz, 2.5 bar). In order to objectivize therapy effects, the severity of pain complaints (Visual Analog Scale), strength of wrist flexors and extensors and grip strength were assessed. We performed pre-intervention measurements and short-term follow-up at 1, 6 and 12 weeks of therapy completion. RESULTS: At 6 and 12 weeks of therapy completion, all groups exhibited significantly reduced pain complaints (p < 0.05). The most noticeable changes in grip strength, wrist extensors and flexors strength were observed in the affected extremities of all experimental groups while changes within the unaffected extremities were slight. Grip strength as well as the strength of flexor and extensor muscles of the affected limb were significantly greater at 12 weeks of therapy completion compared to pre-intervention values (p < 0.05). At the same time point, percent changes of all study parameters were comparable for all groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Focused and radial shock wave therapy tend to show a significant and comparable short-term therapeutic effect for acute and chronic tennis elbow.

The Combined Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Insulin Therapy on Glycated Hemoglobin Concentrations, Lipid Profiles and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients with Type-2-Diabetes and Hemiplegia Related to Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study.

Type-2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global problem of medical, social and economic consequences. Physical activity is a vital therapy in patients with T2DM, but some of them cannot exercise for various reasons. The purpose of our pilot study was to determine whether a combination of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) and insulin therapy could improve the management of T2DM patients with hemiplegia caused by an ischemic stroke. Fifteen immobile patients with T2DM on insulin therapy were enrolled in the study. NMES was applied to their lower limbs for 60 min, 5 days a week, over a period of 12 weeks. The intervention caused statistically significant reductions in the blood concentrations of glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol in the participants. Furthermore, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly lower. More randomized clinical trials are needed to accurately measure the effect of NMES on T2DM treatment and to determine whether it can be an alternative for physical activity for immobile patients with T2DM.

Ground reaction force analysis for assessing the efficacy of focused and radial shockwaves in the treatment of symptomatic plantar heel spur.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is among the conservative treatments for symptomatic heel spur. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this trial is to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of radial shock wave (RSWT) and focused shock wave (FSWT) applied in the treatment of symptomatic heel spur. METHODS: Fifty-five participants were randomly divided into two comparative groups that were administered FSWT and RSWT, respectively. The severity of dysfunction (Foot Function Index, FFI), ground reaction forces (GRF) and walking temporal parameters were measured in all patients at baseline and at weeks 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 after treatment. RESULTS: In both groups, a gradual decrease in the FFI values occurred after treatment. The percentage reduction in the FFI was comparable for both groups. Statistically significant changes were only noted between some measurements of GRF and walking temporal parameters. The percentage changes in the values of the force and temporal parameters were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both FSWT and RSWT are efficacious in the treatment of symptomatic heel spur and their therapeutic effects are comparable. Objective data registered by force platforms during walking are not useful for tracing the progress of treatment applied to patients with symptomatic heel spur between consecutive procedures.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is among the conservative treatments for Achilles tendinopathy. Unfortunately, no optimal application parameters have been determined that would ensure ESWT effectiveness in this condition. The aim of the paper is to use research reports on ESWT in patients with Achilles tendinopathy to help practising physiotherapists establish the most effective intervention parameters. A search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science. The papers were checked for relevant content and were included based on the following criteria: full-text article published in English and including comprehensive description of shock wave application. Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies on the effectiveness of ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy included in this narrative review were randomized controlled trials. Two case-control studies, a case series study, prospective audit, clinical trial protocol, and a pilot study were also considered. The majority were prospective studies. Only a few authors presented the findings from retrospective observations. The two modalities of shock wave therapy used for Achilles tendinopathy are focused shock waves and radial shock waves. The literature contains reports presenting mainly beneficial effects of ESWT in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Study of chemical, physico-mechanical and biological properties of 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate)-based polyurethane films.

Polyurethane films were obtained in the solvent-free cycloaliphatic polyaddition process of 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate), poly(ε-caprolactone) diol or poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol and 1,4-butanediol. Chemical structures of the polymers were confirmed by FTIR, NMR and GPC methods. Their surface, thermal and mechanical properties have been evaluated. Results of biological studies with polyurethane films as potential biomaterials for medical applications revealed their mild cytotoxicity against normal human fibroblasts (BJ) and immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT). STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The research is relevant for the potential uses of polyurethane films made from commercial raw materials as general medical supplies.

Oxytocin Administration in High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Myomata.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (myomata) after application of oxytocin. METHODS: 156 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated using MR-guided HIFU procedure. 51 patients had additional IV administration of 40 IU of oxytocin in 5% Glucose or 0,9% NaCl solution during therapy. Before and after the procedure we performed MR and measured initial perfused volume, final perfused volume, nonperfused volume (NPV), and treated volume ratio (TVR). The follow-up was up to 15 months to assess efficacy of treatment and relief of symptoms. RESULTS: Nonperfused volume was statistically significantly larger in oxytocin group than in control group (p=0.0019). The remaining parameters did not show significant difference between both groups. CONCLUSION: Oxytocin administration seems to improve efficiency of HIFU therapy although further research is required to assess its value. This study' clinical registration number is DRKS00014794.

Prognostic Parameters for Patients with Cervical Cancer FIGO Stages IA2-IIB: A Long-Term Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prognostic factors related to 10-year overall survival and disease-free survival in cervical cancer patients that underwent primary surgical protocols in 1 institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 102 patients with uterine cervical cancer at FIGO stages IA2-IIB that underwent a Piver type III radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1998 and 2001 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses of 10-year overall survival and 10-year disease-free survival were performed. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that only lymphovascular space invasion significantly affected 10-year overall survival (p = 0.04), but it had no effect on the 10-year disease-free survival rate. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that survival rates were significantly affected by FIGO stage (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.18-5.55, for 10-year overall survival; p = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.07-6.12, for 10-year disease-free survival) and metastases to the pelvic lymph nodes (p = 0.0005, 95% CI: 1.81-8.53, for 10-year overall survival; p = 0.01, 95% CI: 1.26-7.24, for 10-year disease-free survival). CONCLUSIONS: The only independent prognostic factors for 10-year survival rates in patients with cervical cancer at FIGO stages IA2-IIB were clinical stage and presence of metastases to the pelvic lymph nodes. The presence of lymphovascular space invasion adversely affected 10-year overall survival.

An attempt at objective and subjective evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of focused and radial shockwave applied to symptomatic heel spur.

PURPOSE: The experiment was designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of focused shockwave and radial shockwave in symptomatic heel spur treatment. Postural balance tests were used to ensure the objectivity of evaluations. METHODS: Forty three patients with symptomatic heel spur were divided into two comparative groups that received respectively focused shockwave therapy (the FSWT group; 2000 impulses, 4 Hz, 0.4 mJ/mm2) and radial shockwave therapy (the RSWT group; 2000 impulses, 8 Hz, 5 bars + 2000 impulses, 8 Hz, 2.5 bars). Each patient received 5 treatments at weekly intervals. Before therapy started and 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks after it ended, the intensity of pain experienced by the patients was assessed and static balance tests were performed on a force platform. RESULTS: Successive measurements showed that the intensity of all kinds of pain under consideration was decreasing gradually and statistically significantly in both groups. The percentage reduction in pain intensity was similar between the groups. The standard deviation of the COP in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions, 95% confidence ellipse area and COP velocity kept varying throughout the experiment, but in none of the groups changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Focused shockwave therapy and radial shockwave therapy improve the well-being of patients with symptomatic heel spur significantly and comparably. Posturography cannot deliver unambiguous data for tracking changes that the two therapies induce in these patients.

Focused and Radial Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Tennis Elbow: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Study.

The purpose of this article was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of radial and focused shock wave therapies applied to treat tennis elbow. Patients with tennis elbow were randomized into two comparative groups: focused shock wave therapy (FSWT; n=25) and radial shock wave therapy (RSWT; n=25). Subjects in the FSWT and RSWT groups were applied with a focused shock wave (3 sessions, 2000 shocks, 4 Hz, 0.2 mJ/mm(2)) and a radial shock wave (3 sessions, 2000 + 2000 shocks, 8 Hz, 2.5 bar), respectively. The primary study endpoints were pain relief and functional improvement (muscle strength) one week after therapy. The secondary endpoint consisted of the results of the follow-up observation (3, 6 and 12 weeks after the study). Successive measurements showed that the amount of pain patients felt decreased in both groups. At the same time grip strength as well as strength of wrist extensors and flexors of the affected extremity improved significantly. Both focused and radial shock wave therapies can comparably and gradually reduce pain in subjects with tennis elbow. This process is accompanied by steadily improved strength of the affected extremity.

Composites prepared from the waterborne polyurethane cationomers-modified graphene. Part II. Electrical properties of the polyurethane films.

The research was planned to test electrical properties of polymer films made from polyurethane cationomers with 0-2 wt.% graphene admixture. The cationomers were synthetized in the reaction of 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), polycaprolactone diol (M = 2000), N-methyldiethanolamine, and formic acid. It was found that addition of approx. 2 wt.% of graphene causes the loss of volume resistivity by three orders of magnitude and percolation threshold is already set at approx. 1 wt.%. The frequency characteristic of a real part of permittivity ε' and imaginary part of permittivity ε″ were measured for the tested films. On the base of Havriliak-Negami equation, parameters of relaxation functions in frequency domain were estimated for samples containing various contents of graphene. The influence of the cationomer phase structure on observed changes of dielectric losses coefficient tgδ in the full-measuring frequency spectrum was discussed.

Composites prepared from the waterborne polyurethane cationomers-modified graphene. Part I. Synthesis, structure, and physicochemical properties.

In the reaction of 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), polycaprolactone diol, and N-methyldiethanolamine, they were synthesized aqueous dispersions of polyurethane cationomers, from which films were prepared after adding 0-2 wt% graphene. In order to obtain nanocomposites, graphene was previously noncovalent functionalized in tetrahydrofurane in the field of ultrasound. The chemical structure and the morphology of obtained nanocomposites were analyzed by IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) microcalorimetry methods. It was found that the presence of graphene results in increased thermal and mechanical strength of received polymer films and contributes to the increase in hydrophobicity of generally hydrophilic coatings prepared from waterborne polyurethane cationomers. Based on received results, possible interactions between graphene and phase structure of polyurethane cationomers were discussed. Relating to the so far described applications of graphene for the modification of polyurethanes, the novelty of this work is the concept of incorporation of graphene particles to polyurethane cationomer chains exclusively through a simple noncovalent functionalization and to investigate the effect of graphene on the properties obtained in this way of thin polyurethane film.

A degradation study of cefepime hydrochloride in solutions under various stress conditions by TLC-densitometry.

A rapid, accurate and sensitive thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method with densitometric detection has been developed and validated for the determination of cefepime in pharmaceuticals. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a silica gel TLC F254 plates with a mobile phase consisting of ethanol-2-propanol-glacial acetic acid 99.5%-water (4:4:1:3, v/v). Densitometric detection was carried out at wavelength of 266 nm in reflectance/absorbance mode. The validation of the method was found to be satisfactory with high accuracy (from 99.24 to 101.37%) and precision (RSD from 0.06 to 0.36%). Additionally, the stability of cefepime in solution was investigated, including the effect of pH, temperature and incubation time. Favorable retention parameters (Rf , Rs, α) were obtained under the developed conditions, which guaranteed good separation of the studied components. The degradation process of cefepime hydrochloride was described by kinetic and thermodynamic parameters (k, t0.1 , t0.5 and Ea ). Moreover, the chemical properties of degradation products were characterized by the Rf values, absorption spectra, HPLC-MS/MS and TLC-densitometry analysis. As the method could effectively separate the active substance from its main degradation product (1-methylpyrrolidine), it can be employed as a method to indicate the stability of this drug.

The effect of a single session of whole-body vibration training in recreationally active men on the excitability of the central and peripheral nervous system.

Vibration training has become a popular method used in professional sports and recreation. In this study, we examined the effect of whole-body vibration training on the central nervous system and muscle excitability in a group of 28 active men. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of two experimental groups with different variables of vibrations. The chronaximetry method was used to evaluate the effect of a single session of whole-body vibration training on the excitability of the rectus femoris and brachioradialis muscles. The examination of the fusing and flickering frequencies of the light stimulus was performed. An increase in the excitability of the quadriceps femoris muscle due to low intensity vibrations (20 Hz frequency, 2 mm amplitude) was noted, and a return to the initial values was observed 30 min after the application of vibration. High intensity vibrations (60 Hz frequency, 4 mm amplitude) caused elongations of the chronaxy time; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Neither a low intensity vibration amplitude of 2 mm (frequency of 20 Hz) nor a high intensity vibration amplitude of 4 mm (frequency of 60 Hz) caused a change in the excitability of the central nervous system, as revealed by the average frequency of the fusing and flickering of the light stimulus. A single session of high intensity whole-body vibration did not significantly decrease the excitability of the peripheral nervous system while the central nervous system did not seem to be affected.

Modelling the surface free energy parameters of polyurethane coats-part 2. Waterborne coats obtained from cationomer polyurethanes.

Polyurethane cationomer coats were synthesised on the basis of typical diisocyanates, properly selected polyether polyols, HO-tertiary amines and HCOOH as quaternisation reagents. The values of their surface free energy (SFE) parameters were obtained by the van Oss-Good method, with the use of the contact angle values which had been found by the goniometric method. Based on the obtained findings, empirical models were developed which made it possible to anticipate the effects of the raw material types on the SFE values of the produced coats. The possibility was noted to adjust the SFE values within 25-50 mJ/m2 by selecting carefully suitable parent substances. The principal consequences for the formation of improved hydrophobicity coats, applicable inter alia specialised protective coatings, were found to come not only from diisocyanate and polyol types but also from the alkylammonium cation structure which results from the use of different tertiary amines. The fundamental SFE lowering effect was noted when tertiary amines with 0-15 % of the 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol as a fluorinated chain extender was incorporated into polymer chains.

The effect of a short-term and long-term whole-body vibration in healthy men upon the postural stability.

The study aimed to establish the short-term and long-term effects of whole-body vibration on postural stability. The sample consisted of 28 male subjects randomly allocated to four comparative groups, three of which exercised on a vibration platform with parameters set individually for the groups. The stabilographic signal was recorded before the test commenced, after a single session of whole-body vibration, immediately after the last set of exercises of the 4-week whole-body vibration training, and one week after the training ended. The subjects were exposed to vibrations 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Long-term vibration training significantly shortened the rambling and trembling paths in the frontal plane. The path lengths were significantly reduced in the frontal plane one week after the training end date. Most changes in the values of the center of pressure (COP) path lengths in the sagittal and frontal plane were statistically insignificant. We concluded that long-term vibration training improves the postural stability of young healthy individuals in the frontal plane.