Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the potential benefits of real-time feedback in resuscitation training for participants in the prehospital emergency chain and to compare differences in the quality of chest compressions (CC) with and without feedback. METHODS: The primary endpoint was to analyze the proportion of CC achieving the recommended depth (5-6cm) and frequency (100-120/min) during two minutes of CC. This prospective cohort study compares bystanders (N=75), paramedic trainees (N=75), and emergency physician trainees (N=75) with and without the feedback system of the Zoll X-Series(®). RESULTS: Without feedback, paramedics (P) achieved the target compression frequency in 82.7%, bystanders (B) in 49.8%, and emergency physician trainees (EP) in 75% (P vs. B, p<0.001; EP vs. P, p=0.759; EP vs. B, p=0.217). There were no significant differences in target compression depth without feedback.With feedback, P achieved the compression frequency in 90.7%, B in 72.8%, and EP in 91.4% (P vs. B, p<0.001; EP vs. P, p=0.425; EP vs. B, p<0.001).With feedback, P achieved the compression depth in 56.9%, B in 47.3%, and EP in 75.1% (P vs. B, p=0.759; EP vs. P, p=0.217; EP vs. B, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The results underscore the importance of real-time feedback in emergency medical training, especially for B. All cohorts showed significant improvement, indicating that feedback enhances CC and promotes skill development. Given the importance of high-quality CC, their early optimization in training is essential. This highlights the need for standardized training concepts, including timing recommendations for feedback systems. Future studies should consider real-life prehospital conditions and investigate chest compression to validate transferability to real-life scenarios.