Lowlands Saves Lives: A Randomized Trial Comparing CPR-quality Between Face-to-face vs. Lifesaver VR Training

Lowlands Saves Lives: A Randomized Trial Comparing CPR-quality Between Face-to-face vs. Lifesaver VR Training

Lowlands Saves Lives: A Randomized Trial to Assess the Impact of Face-to-face vs. Virtual Reality Training Using the Lifesaver VR-app on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

The objective of the Lowlands Saves Lives trial is to compare the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between face-to-face versus Lifesaver Virtual Reality smartphone application trained participants using a randomized controlled trial.

In order to optimize survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, basic life support (BLS) training of lay-person volunteers is essential. Face-to-face training has long been considered the standard, but new training-methods have emerged, of which the Lifesaver VR (developed by the UK Resuscitation Council) app seems promising. It is unknown which training method results in the highest quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Therefore, we conduct this randomized controlled trial in which subjects will be randomized to either one of the two training methods. Following the training, all participants will undergo CPR-quality testing using certified manikins and blinded assessors. The present study will be conducted during Lowlands Science, a section of the Lowlands music festival exclusively dedicated to science. Lowlands will be held on August 16-18 of 2019 and over 50.000 attendees are expected.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Basic life support (BLS), Virtual reality (VR), Education, Lay-person training

Training using the Lifesaver VR application. Lifesaver VR is an interactive game that can be played on smartphones allowing users to 'resuscitate' a victim of cardiac arrest, while wearing VR-goggles showing a filmed CPR-scenario

A short face-to-face CPR training based on international guidelines provided by certified instructors

Chest compression quality measured as depth (mm) and rate (compressions/min) measured using CPR manikin

Inclusion Criteria: Adult (≥18 years). Provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Alcohol level >0.5‰ and not able to perform tandem gait test. For any reason not being able to partake in the face-to-face or VR-app training (e.g. clear alcohol or drugs intoxication). For any reason not being able to perform the CPR test on the CPR-manikin (e.g. clear alcohol or drugs intoxication).

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Nas J, Thannhauser J, van Geuns RM, van Royen N, Bonnes JL, Brouwer MA. Optimal Combination of Chest Compression Depth and Rate in Virtual Reality Resuscitation Training: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Randomized Lowlands Saves Lives Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):e017367. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.017367. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

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Nas J, Thannhauser J, Vart P, van Geuns RJ, Muijsers HEC, Mol JQ, Aarts GWA, Konijnenberg LSF, Gommans DHF, Ahoud-Schoenmakers SGAM, Vos JL, van Royen N, Bonnes JL, Brouwer MA. Effect of Face-to-Face vs Virtual Reality Training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2020 Mar 1;5(3):328-335. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2019.4992.