The orthotic group was asked to wear a prefabricated toe orthotic (FORTH, China) on both feet at night each day, which was uniformly procured through an online shopping route prior to the start of the intervention. Subjects were required to wear the orthotics for a minimum of 8 hours per day and were monitored by uploading photos daily. Before the start of the intervention, the patients were instructed on the use of the orthoses and were given a demonstration of wearing the orthoses.

The exercise training group was asked to implement an exercise program for no less than days 5 days per week, and in addition to the fascia ball and elastic bands (LI-NING, China) required for training, subjects were also given a document containing a textual description of the exercise program and a prerecorded video of the actual exercise, which contained information about the exercise position, number of repetitions, duration of contraction, rest time between sets, frequency, and precautions. They were monitored by uploading daily exercise hours and photos, and problems affecting their compliance were addressed.

(1) one pair of two orthoses, regardless of the right and left sides; (2) loosen the two Velcro straps, put the large Velcro strap into the arch of the foot, and put the small Velcro strap on the thumb; (3) place the rigid plastic fixation plate along the medial edge of the foot and align the axis of rotation with the 1st metatarsalphalangeal joint; (4) tighten the Velcro straps as much as possible to prevent dislocation of the orthoses, without interfering with sleep; (5) tighten the Velcro straps to prevent dislocation of the orthoses, and to prevent the orthoses from moving out of position. Tighten the Velcro straps as much as possible without disturbing sleep to prevent the orthosis from shifting and to position the phalanx correctly in the outer table. Contact the laboratory staff for a new pair of orthotics if the adhesive tape is not sufficiently sticky to maintain positional fixation during sleep.

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to measure the independence of individual modules and the consistency of synergistic effects among individuals in the same group. When r > 0.7, it was considered that there was similarity between the two synergy modules. Muscles with a median value > 0.3 in the spatial components of the module were considered to be activated muscles in that module.

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to measure the independence of individual modules and the consistency of synergistic effects among individuals in the same group. When r > 0.7, it was considered that there was similarity between the two synergy modules. Degree of freedom (DoF) with a median value > 0.25 in the spatial components of the module were considered to be activated DoF in that module.

The hallux valgus angle between the longitudinal axis of the 1st metatarsal and the longitudinal axis of the proximal phalanx of the 1st toe was measured using a protractor