Abstract
Using a new floating toe measuring device, this study examined the reliability of judgment and measurement values of the floating toe in 112 healthy children (boys = 58; girls = 54; average age: 7.58 ± 0.80 years). This device can scan the sole of the grounded foot and measure each floating toe’s height from the front by a camera. After measuring the floating toe twice, we measured the height of the toe of the measured soles. The floating toe’s presence or absence was judged twice from the toe marks and height. The results revealed that the number of children with floating toes in both measurements (46 and 41, respectively) and the total number of floating toes (109 and 87, respectively）differed; however, the judgment numbers were consistent in both measurements. Children with floating toes showed no significant gender difference (43%–56%). Additionally, neither gender showed any significant grade difference (8%–23%) or left–right difference (15%–22%). In 68.2%–72.2% of boys and 69.6%–83.3% of girls, the floating toe was the fifth; that is, no significant gender difference was revealed. Furthermore, the mean values of the total floating toe heights in both measurements showed no significant difference, and their reliability was very high (ICC: 0.995–0.996). However, because a difference was observed in the number of children with floating toes and the total number of floating toes in the two measurements, examining the measurement method itself will be necessary in the future.
