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

Background: 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. Methods: 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 (n = 29) or control group (n = 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 p < 0.05. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in menopausal symptoms (z = −5.59, p < 0.001), stress (z = −3.58, p < 0.001), and quality of life (z = −3.47, p = 0.001). A significant time-by-group interaction effect was observed for sleep quality (F = 7.53, p = 0.008). No significant changes were found in body composition. Conclusion: 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.