An interventional study of CPR Training and CPR Manikin Type in Cardiac Arrest, Out-Of-Hospital, sponsored by University of Nevada, Reno. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-04.
Sponsored by University of Nevada, Reno · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
The goal of this prospective trial is to compare CPR skill and attitudes in lay rescuers. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
Participants will
Researchers will compare different methods of training, different frequencies of training, and different manikin types.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a major public health crisis in the United States, with over 350,000 cases annually and low survival rates. Lay rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double survival, yet widespread gaps in training access, skill retention, and emotional readiness persist. While most U.S. states mandate high school CPR training, implementation quality varies, and traditional formats have remained unchanged for over 60 years. These methods are often time-consuming, expensive, and poorly suited for adolescents, leading to low participation and rapid skill decay.
This study addresses these critical gaps by comparing various CPR training methods and procedures. The project tests the effectiveness of different training frequencies, durations, and delivery modes-including traditional instructor-led sessions, brief refreshers, and a novel, emotionally immersive serious game. The serious game leverages gamification, competition, and scenario-based learning to build "emotional muscle memory" and prepare students for real-world emergencies.
Participants are enrolled from two high schools-one rural, one suburban-and randomized by class or individual into training arms with varied schedules and compression practice tools. These tools range from high-fidelity manikins to low-fidelity devices and improvised household objects. Outcomes include CPR performance metrics (compression rate, depth, recoil, and hand placement), knowledge retention, emotional engagement (measured via validated psychometric scales), and confidence in responding to cardiac arrest.
Training sessions are delivered during the academic year, and students are assessed immediately after training and again at annual follow-up points. Data are collected in a de-identified format using school-issued ID numbers, ensuring participant confidentiality. Analysis will use generalized estimating equations and mixed-effects models to assess the impact of training method and frequency on skill retention and psychosocial readiness. The study also explores the role of contextualization, emotional engagement, and gamification as mediators of improved CPR performance.
Ultimately, this multi-year trial aims to identify scalable, cost-effective strategies that optimize CPR training outcomes for lay rescuers. By improving technical skill retention and emotional preparedness, the study addresses key priorities for public health impact and aligns with NHLBI's strategic goals to reduce mortality from sudden cardiac arrest.
314 studies on the registry are indexed under Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; 93 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 2,100 is above the median of 218 across 179 interventional studies indexed under Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
Browse Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest studies →University of Nevada, Reno is the lead sponsor of 28 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 1 (20%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Receives two 60-minute instructor-led CPR trainings: once in 9th grade and again in 11th grade
Behavioral: CPR Training
Receives a 60-minute instructor-led CPR training each year for three years.
Behavioral: CPR Training
Starts with a 30-minute serious game-based session, followed by 10-minute refreshers every semester for four years (8 total sessions).
Behavioral: CPR Training
Receives a 30-minute serious game-based training session once per year for three years.
Behavioral: CPR Training
No CPR training
Uses a commercially available torso manikin with realistic chest mechanics and feedback. Serves as the gold standard comparator for CPR training.
Device: CPR Manikin Type
Uses a basic inflatable torso manikin with minimal feedback or resistance. Represents a low-cost, commonly used alternative in schools and communities.
Device: CPR Manikin Type
Uses a custom-built spring-based device with a silicone topper and realistic force-displacement properties that closely mimic the human chest. Tests whether an affordable, biomechanically accurate prototype can improve compression quality.
Device: CPR Manikin Type
Uses improvised materials (e.g., toilet paper rolls) to simulate chest compressions. Evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of ultra-low-cost CPR practice tools
Device: CPR Manikin Type
Various durations and frequencies of CPR training
Various types of CPR manikins are compared
CPR Skill Retention
High-quality CPR as measured by compression rate (per minute), depth (inches), and correct hand placement. High-quality CPR is defined as correct rate (100-120/min) AND \>70% of compressions at appropriate depth (2-2.4inches) with appropriate hand placement.
Time frame: 1-4 years
CPR Attitudes
Participant confidence and intention to perform CPR, measured using Likert-scale items and validated engagement questionnaires.
Time frame: 1-4 years
CPR Knowledge Retention
Percentage of correct answers on a standardized multiple-choice test assessing CPR knowledge and AED use.
Time frame: 1-4 years
Emotional Profile
Emotional responses captured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), measuring affective realism and readiness.
Time frame: 1-4 years
Learner Engagement
Subjective engagement and perceived relevance of CPR training, measured via Likert scales and the Narrative Engagement Scale.
Time frame: 1-4 years
Training Feature Effects (Contextualization, Gamification, Emotional Impact)
Exploratory outcome assessing how specific training design elements influence CPR skills, knowledge, and self-efficacy through mediation and regression analyses.
Time frame: 1-4 years
Plan to share: No — All data is gathered and reported in de-identified, aggregate form, per IRB and school official direction.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in May 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest →
University of Nevada, Reno