A stabilization device to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during ambulance transportation: a randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during ambulance transportation is suboptimal, and therefore measures that can improve the quality are desirable.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the use of a stabilization device can improve the quality of CPR during ambulance transportation.

METHODS: This randomized controlled crossover trial enrolled 22 experienced ambulance officers. Each participant performed CPR in an ambulance under three conditions with 72 h apart, each condition for 10 min: non-moving (NM), moving without device (MND), and moving with device (MD). The sequences of conditions were randomized. The primary outcomes were effective chest compressions recorded by the Laerdal Resusci-Anne Skill-reporter manikin. The secondary outcomes included the severity of back pain scored using the Brief Pain Inventory short-form, the physiology parameter before and after CPR, and the changes in postural stability which was represented by the sway index (SI) of lower back measured using a goniometer.

RESULTS: The overall effective compressions in 10 min were 87.0±17% for NM, 59.0±19% for MND, and 69.0±23% for MD (p<0.001). Compared to MND, MD had a lower no-flow fraction while driving on curved sections (0.04 vs. 0.29, p<0.001). Whereas the pain severity and social interference scores were similar under all conditions, MND had a higher SI than MD and NM.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a stabilization device can improve the quality of CPR and posture stability during ambulance transportation, although the effects on the severity of back pain were not significant.