Use of a Real-Time Training Software (Laerdal QCPR®) Compared to Instructor-Based Feedback for High-Quality Chest Compressions Acquisition in Secondary School Students: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

High-quality chest compressions are pivotal to improve survival from cardiac arrest. Basic life support training of school students is an international priority. The aim of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of a real-time training software (Laerdal QCPR®) compared to a standard instructor-based feedback for chest compressions acquisition in secondary school students. After an interactive frontal lesson about basic life support and high quality chest compressions, 144 students were randomized to two types of chest compressions training: 1) using Laerdal QCPR® (QCPR group– 72 students) for real-time feedback during chest compressions with the guide of an instructor who considered software data for students’ correction 2) based on standard instructor-based feedback (SF group– 72 students). Both groups had a minimum of a 2-minute chest compressions training session. Students were required to reach a minimum technical skill level before the evaluation. We evaluated all students at 7 days from the training with a 2-minute chest compressions session. The primary outcome was the compression score, which is an overall measure of chest compressions quality calculated by the software expressed as percentage. 125 students were present at the evaluation session (60 from QCPR group and 65 from SF group). Students in QCPR group had a significantly higher compression score (median 90%, IQR 81.9–96.0) compared to SF group (median 67%, IQR 27.7–87.5), p = 0.0003. Students in QCPR group performed significantly higher percentage of fully released chest compressions (71% [IQR 24.5–99.0] vs 24% [IQR 2.5–88.2]; p = 0.005) and better chest compression rate (117.5/min [IQR 106–123.5] vs 125/min [115–135.2]; p = 0.001). In secondary school students, a training for chest compressions based on a real-time feedback software (Laerdal QCPR®) guided by an instructor is superior to instructor-based feedback training in terms of chest compression technical skill acquisition.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000383460

Training interval in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

“…This feedback increases CPR quality in both training and during actual performance of CPR [12,23,24]. Evidence supports the use of automated real-time visual feedback for developing skill in chest compressions [25,26].…”

Assessment of Chest Compression Quality — a systematic review

“…In six studies, the indicator developed by the Laerdal corporation was used for the analysis [19][20][21][22][23][24]. It is a part of the software for analysing resuscitation performed in simulation conditions.…”

Protocol of a Multicenter International Randomized Controlled Manikin Study on Different Protocols of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for laypeople (MANI-CPR)

“…21 All the centres use the real-time feedback during their courses according to the recent evidence that this type of feedback improves the CPR performance of the laypeople. 22–27 Figure 1 shows the study flow and figure 2 shows the timeline as recommended by the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials. The standard BLS/AED course used by all the participating centres is detailed in online supplementary file 1 .…”