Effects of vibration-guided cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a smartwatch versus metronome guidance cardiopulmonary resuscitation during adult cardiac arrest: a randomized controlled simulation study

Abstract

Background: Smartwatches could be used as a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidance system through its vibration function. This study was conducted to determine whether vibration guidance by a smartwatch application influences CPR performance compared to metronome guided CPR in a simulated noisy setting.

Methods: This study was randomised controlled trial. A total of 130 university students were enrolled. The experiment was conducted using a cardiac arrest model with hands-only CPR. Participants were randomly divided into two groups 1:1 ratio and performed 2-min metronome guidance or vibration guidance compression at the rate of 110/min. Basic life support quality data were compared in simulated noisy environments.

Results: There were significant differences between the audio and vibration guidance groups in the mean compression rate (MCR). However, there were no significant differences in correct or mean compression depth, correct hand position, and correctly released compression. The vibration guidance group resulted in 109 MCR (Interquartile range [IQR] 108-110), whereas the metronome guidance group resulted in 115 MCR (IQR 112-117) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In a simulated noisy environment, vibration guided CPR showed to be particularly advantageous in maintaining a desired MCR during hands-only CPR compared to metronome guided CPR.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Out-of-Hospital cardiac arrest; Vibration; Wearable electronic devices.