Effects of Barefoot Walking on Menopausal Symptoms, Sleep Quality, Stress, and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women Experiencing Menopausal Symptoms

<b>Background</b>: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured barefoot walking program on menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, stress, and quality of life in middle-aged women experiencing menopausal symptoms. <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group and pretest-posttest was used. Community-dwelling women aged 45 to 65 years residing in Wonju, Republic of Korea, were recruited and assigned to either an experimental (<i>n</i> = 29) or control group (<i>n</i> = 31). The intervention consisted of 12 weeks of barefoot walking (three times per week, 60 min per session). Outcome measures included the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale, Stress Response Inventory, and WHOQOL-BREF. In addition, changes in participants' body composition before and after the intervention were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (InBody 770). Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, and other relevant statistical methods, with the level of significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. <b>Results</b>: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in menopausal symptoms (z = -5.59, <i>p</i> < 0.001), stress (z = -3.58, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and quality of life (z = -3.47, <i>p</i> = 0.001). A significant time-by-group interaction effect was observed for sleep quality (F = 7.53, <i>p</i> = 0.008). No significant changes were found in body composition. <b>Conclusion</b>: Barefoot walking represents a promising, low-cost, community-based intervention for alleviating menopausal symptoms, enhancing sleep quality, reducing stress and improving quality of life in middle-aged women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.