An audio-visual review model enhanced one-year retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and knowledge: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background As the majority of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occur at patients’ homes, implementing high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation by family members is critical in improving patient outcomes. However, the survival rate remains low due to low bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation rate and rapid skill deterioration in individuals who complete the training. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of audio-visual review model and audio-visual-practice review model on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill retention 12 months after training. Design A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, and three-arm parallel study. Participants A total of 641 family members of patients at high risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest enrolled in the study and 448 participants completed the follow-up. Methods Family members from Beijing, China were recruited. All families underwent initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Their cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill and knowledge were assessed immediately after training. Trainees who were rated “adequate skill and knowledge” were assigned randomly into one of three groups. The control group were given a cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction booklet and a placebo-DVD without any reminders. Both audio-visual and audio-visual-practice groups were reinforced by a telephone reminder every 3 months. The audio-visual-practice group were also asked to simultaneously practice the skills while watching the instructional-DVD. The trainees’ cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and knowledge were re-assessed 12 months after training. Results The retention rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills in both audio-visual-practice (N = 177) and audio-visual (N = 157) groups were higher than that in control group (N = 114) 12 months after training (all P-values Conclusions Both audio-visual-practice and audio-visual review models demonstrated better long-term retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills for families of people at higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. (Registration number: chiCTR-TRC-12002149)