Cost-effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation practice device for maintaining chest compression quality: a semi-randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective Continued chest compression after the completion of a basic life support (BLS) course is effective for maintaining the skills acquired during the course. Using low-cost tennis balls for BLS practice, we examined the effects on the long-term continued quality of chest compression. Methods This semi-randomized controlled clinical trial included 153 participants who completed BLS courses from August 2018 to December 2019 and were randomly divided into 5 groups: ball with rhythm (n=33), ball without rhythm (n=32), manikin (Little Anne) with rhythm (n=16), manikin without rhythm (n=23), and no-practice (n=49). Immediately after training and at 3, 6, and 12 months following training, chest compression quality (rate, depth, recoil, and pressure point) was measured, and intergroup comparisons were statistically analyzed. Results The no-practice group demonstrated a decline in chest compression quality at 3 months after BLS course completion. However, no participant in the ball with rhythm group demonstrated a decline in quality on any evaluated items even at 12 months. The tennis ball group (n=65) and the manikin group (n=39) did not demonstrate any significant differences in chest compression quality. Conclusion Weekly BLS practice with low-cost tennis balls can maintain the quality of chest compression for 12 months. Tennis balls are spherical, give only on perpendicular downward compression, and roll away on removing hands, which facilitates the acquisition of proper chest compression posture. Weekly practice is important for skill maintenance following the completion of the BLS course. Keywords: Chest, Survival, Randomized controlled trial, Tennis