Gathering Evidence on Best Practices for Lay Rescuer CPR Training

NCT ID: NCT05908500

Last Updated: 2025-06-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

2100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-04-01

Study Completion Date

2031-03-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this prospective trial is to compare CPR skill and attitudes in lay rescuers. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are:

* What is the optimal training timing, duration, and frequency for lay rescuers that leads to CPR skill retention?
* What is the impact of CPR manikin type (high-fidelity, inflatable, nontraditional objects) on skill retention?
* How do specific features of training modality -- such as contextualization, gamification, and emotional engagement -- impact skill proficiency, knowledge retention, and attitudes about CPR?

Participants will

* Answer pre-training questionnaires
* Participate in CPR training
* Participate in CPR skills testing
* Answer post-training questionnaires

Researchers will compare different methods of training, different frequencies of training, and different manikin types.

Detailed Description

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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a major public health crisis in the United States, with over 350,000 cases annually and low survival rates. Lay rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double survival, yet widespread gaps in training access, skill retention, and emotional readiness persist. While most U.S. states mandate high school CPR training, implementation quality varies, and traditional formats have remained unchanged for over 60 years. These methods are often time-consuming, expensive, and poorly suited for adolescents, leading to low participation and rapid skill decay.

This study addresses these critical gaps by comparing various CPR training methods and procedures. The project tests the effectiveness of different training frequencies, durations, and delivery modes-including traditional instructor-led sessions, brief refreshers, and a novel, emotionally immersive serious game. The serious game leverages gamification, competition, and scenario-based learning to build "emotional muscle memory" and prepare students for real-world emergencies.

Participants are enrolled from two high schools-one rural, one suburban-and randomized by class or individual into training arms with varied schedules and compression practice tools. These tools range from high-fidelity manikins to low-fidelity devices and improvised household objects. Outcomes include CPR performance metrics (compression rate, depth, recoil, and hand placement), knowledge retention, emotional engagement (measured via validated psychometric scales), and confidence in responding to cardiac arrest.

Training sessions are delivered during the academic year, and students are assessed immediately after training and again at annual follow-up points. Data are collected in a de-identified format using school-issued ID numbers, ensuring participant confidentiality. Analysis will use generalized estimating equations and mixed-effects models to assess the impact of training method and frequency on skill retention and psychosocial readiness. The study also explores the role of contextualization, emotional engagement, and gamification as mediators of improved CPR performance.

Ultimately, this multi-year trial aims to identify scalable, cost-effective strategies that optimize CPR training outcomes for lay rescuers. By improving technical skill retention and emotional preparedness, the study addresses key priorities for public health impact and aligns with NHLBI's strategic goals to reduce mortality from sudden cardiac arrest.

Conditions

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Cardiac Arrest, Out-Of-Hospital

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Aim 1: A 4-year, cluster-randomized trial at a rural high school evaluates the impact of CPR training frequency and duration on skill retention, confidence, and emotional readiness. Students (N\~1,200) are assigned by class year to different training schedules using standard, gamified, or brief refresher formats. CPR skills, knowledge, and psychosocial outcomes are assessed annually.

Aim 2: A 2-year, individually randomized trial at a suburban high school compares four chest compression practice tools: high-fidelity manikin, low-fidelity manikin, a novel "no-head" manikin, and improvised objects. Ninth-grade students (N\~432) are assessed post-training and at 1 year for CPR skill quality (rate, depth, recoil, hand placement) using objective measurement tools.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
The statistical analysis will be masked as to which intervention subjects received, with simple "A," "B," etc. designation.

Study Groups

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Every 2 year standard CPR training

Receives two 60-minute instructor-led CPR trainings: once in 9th grade and again in 11th grade

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Various durations and frequencies of CPR training

Annual Standard CPR training

Receives a 60-minute instructor-led CPR training each year for three years.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Various durations and frequencies of CPR training

High-Frequency, Blended Training

Starts with a 30-minute serious game-based session, followed by 10-minute refreshers every semester for four years (8 total sessions).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Various durations and frequencies of CPR training

Annual Serious Game Training

Receives a 30-minute serious game-based training session once per year for three years.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Various durations and frequencies of CPR training

Control

No CPR training

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Standard High-fidelity Manikin

Uses a commercially available torso manikin with realistic chest mechanics and feedback. Serves as the gold standard comparator for CPR training.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Manikin Type

Intervention Type DEVICE

Various types of CPR manikins are compared

Low-Fidelity Manikin

Uses a basic inflatable torso manikin with minimal feedback or resistance. Represents a low-cost, commonly used alternative in schools and communities.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Manikin Type

Intervention Type DEVICE

Various types of CPR manikins are compared

No-Head Manikin (Prototype)

Uses a custom-built spring-based device with a silicone topper and realistic force-displacement properties that closely mimic the human chest. Tests whether an affordable, biomechanically accurate prototype can improve compression quality.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Manikin Type

Intervention Type DEVICE

Various types of CPR manikins are compared

Non-Traditional Object

Uses improvised materials (e.g., toilet paper rolls) to simulate chest compressions. Evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of ultra-low-cost CPR practice tools

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CPR Manikin Type

Intervention Type DEVICE

Various types of CPR manikins are compared

Interventions

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CPR Training

Various durations and frequencies of CPR training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

CPR Manikin Type

Various types of CPR manikins are compared

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* All students at participating schools

Exclusion Criteria

* Previous CPR training (will be included in the CPR training but excluded from analysis)
* Physical injury which prevents performing CPR
* Student or parent opt-out
Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Nevada, Reno

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Lorrel Toft

Associate Professor of Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Lorrel Toft

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nevada, Reno

Locations

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University of Nevada Reno

Reno, Nevada, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Lorrel Toft, MD

Role: CONTACT

4103028456

Facility Contacts

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Lorrel Toft

Role: primary

4103028456

Other Identifiers

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Lay Rescuer CPR Training 2026

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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