title: 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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000383460.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1416-9993
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cortegiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Russotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montalto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iozzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meschis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pugliesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Benenati
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Santi Maurizio
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Raineri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gregoretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anesthesia Analgesia Intensive Care and Emergency, Policlinico P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giarratano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012984:Software; D013334:Students