Comparing three CPR feedback devices and standard BLS in a single rescuer scenario: a randomised simulation study

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Basic life support (BLS) is crucial after cardiac arrest, but rescuer performance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) declines.
• Audio-visual feedback devices aim to maintain CPR quality by reporting performance metrics.
• Investigating the impact of these devices on CPR effectiveness is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of different audio-visual CPR feedback devices on CPR quality during simulated cardiac arrest scenarios.
• To compare the performance of PocketCPR, CPRmeter, and an iPhone app against standard BLS without feedback.

Main Methods:

• An open, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 240 trained medical students.
• Participants performed 8-minute single-rescuer BLS on a manikin using one of four conditions: standard BLS or one of three feedback devices.
• Key metrics included effective compressions, compression rate, flow time fraction, and ventilation parameters.

Main Results:

• No CPR feedback device significantly improved effective compression rates compared to standard BLS.
• The PocketCPR group showed significantly fewer effective compressions than CPRmeter and standard BLS.
• While some devices prevented performance decline over time, overall CPR quality remained suboptimal across all groups.

Conclusions:

• Audio-visual CPR feedback devices did not enhance effective compression quality over standard BLS in this simulation.
• All tested feedback devices introduced a significant delay in CPR initiation.
• Suboptimal BLS quality was observed in all groups, highlighting a need for improved CPR training and feedback strategies.