The foot is the direct interface between the body and the ground during quiet standing. Plantar cutaneous information contributes to postural control. Given the repartition of mechanoreceptors across the sole, the distal region of the toes seems to play an important exteroceptive role in controlling posture. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a low additional thickness placed under the toes on the center of pressure (CoP) measures in different categories of subjects.

Seventy subjects voluntarily participated in these 3 studies (22 healthy subjects for the 1st, 14 athletes for the 2nd, and 34 chronic painful subjects for the 3rd). Postural oscillations were recorded for each participant using a force plate. Five parameters were computed from the CoP displacements. Different thicknesses and locations were used.

Our results suggest that very small degrees of additional thickness placed under the toes are sufficient to change CoP measures and to improve balance of all the different categories of participants.

The application of additional tactile cues using low thickness placed under the toes could contribute to change postural control and may have therapeutic benefits in the management of patients with chronic pain syndromes. This brings new perspectives also in the management of athletes to prevent injury risk and optimize performance.