Deliberate practice in resuscitation training using a feedback device, and the effects of the physical characteristics of the rescuer on the acquisition and retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills: Randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Background Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills decline rapidly and rescuers’ physical characteristics could impact on their performance. Our aim was to analyse the effects of deliberate practice using a feedback device (FD) on the CPR performance of nursing students prior to, immediately after, and three months after training, considering their physical characteristics. Method Sixty nursing students participated in this randomized clinical trial (control group n = 28; training group n = 32). Their physical characteristics (weight, height, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)% index, handgrip strength, and CPR position strength) were measured before starting the trial. The training group followed a CPR training programme based on deliberate practice, providing feedback on their performance using an FD. All participants were evaluated during two-minute CPR compression/ventilation cycles. Results The training group showed an improved ability to perform chest compressions (F(2, 115.2) = 13.3; p  Conclusions A structured training programme based on deliberate practice using an FD had a positive effect on the acquisition of CPR skills by participants, while their physical characteristics had no impact on performance.