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Effectiveness of Video Call-Assisted Versus Voice Call-Assisted Dispatcher-Guided CPR in Untrained Laypersons: A Randomized Simulation Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2026

Adem Koksal*
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ordu University, Türkiye
Mehmet Seyfettin Saribas
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ordu University, Türkiye
Mesut Tomakin
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ministry of Health Turhal State Hospital, Türkiye
Yusuf Burak Kalafat
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ordu University, Türkiye
Ibrahim Caltekin
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ordu University, Türkiye
Ali Aygun
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine, Ordu University, Türkiye
*
Correspondence: Adem Koksal, Assist. Prof. Dr. Department of Emergency Medicine Ordu University Faculty of Medicine Ordu, Türkiye E-mail: ademkoksal@odu.edu.tr
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Abstract

Introduction:

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a major cause of mortality world-wide. Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical determinant of survival; however, many witnessed arrests are managed by untrained laypersons. Dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) increases bystander intervention rates, but telephone-based guidance limits real-time assessment of compression quality. Video-assisted CPR (V-CPR) may overcome these limitations by enabling visual feedback and demonstration-based guidance.

Study Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether video call-assisted dispatcher guidance incorporating simultaneous real-time demonstration improves CPR performance quality compared with voice call-assisted guidance in untrained laypersons during a simulated adult OHCA scenario.

Methods:

This prospective, randomized, single-blind, manikin-based trial included 85 university students without prior CPR training. Participants were randomized to telephone-assisted CPR (T-CPR; n = 40) or video-assisted CPR (V-CPR; n = 45). All participants performed standardized hands-only CPR for five minutes following dispatcher instructions. In the V-CPR group, the dispatcher simultaneously demonstrated CPR on a manikin during the video call. The primary outcome was the composite CPR Quality Score generated by the manikin feedback system. Secondary exploratory outcomes included compression depth, compression rate, interruption time, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS)-related time intervals. Robust regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, dominant hand, height, and weight was performed.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 20.13 (SD = 1.81) years, and 54.1% were female. The CPR Quality Score was significantly higher in the V-CPR group than in the T-CPR group (median difference −47; 95% CI, −60 to −36; P < .001). The V-CPR group demonstrated greater mean compression depth, higher proportions of compressions within recommended rate and depth ranges, and shorter interruption times between compressions. The T-CPR group showed shorter time from case recognition to EMS call, while the interval from dispatcher contact to CPR initiation was similar between groups. In multivariable robust regression analysis, allocation to the V-CPR group remained independently associated with higher CPR Quality Score and improved compression performance metrics.

Conclusion:

Video call-assisted dispatcher guidance incorporating simultaneous real-time visual demonstration significantly improves CPR quality in untrained lay rescuers compared with voice-only guidance. These findings suggest that structured visual modeling integrated into DA-CPR systems may enhance bystander resuscitation performance and help bridge gaps in community CPR training.

Information

Type
Original Research
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine
Figure 0

Figure 1. Study Workflow and Participant-Observer Configuration.Note: The schematic illustrates the stepwise study workflow. A lay participant kneels beside the CPR manikin and initiates the emergency call using a smartphone placed on a fixed, inclined stand positioned to visualize the chest compression area and hand placement. A single dispatcher provides standardized guidance via the same smartphone model; participants receive either voice-only instructions or real-time video guidance. In the video-guided arm, the dispatcher visually observes the participant and delivers corrective feedback during CPR. Data from CPR performance are automatically recorded by the manikin’s integrated feedback system and independently extracted by a third investigator located in a separate room, who is blinded to group allocation.Abbreviation: CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Figure 1

Table 1. Demographic Data

Figure 2

Figure 2. Study Flowchart.Abbreviation: CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Figure 3

Table 2. Relationships between CPR-Related Variables Across Groups

Figure 4

Table 3. Multivariate Robust Regression Analysis

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