Video call-assisted dispatcher guidance improves CPR quality metrics in simulation study of untrained students

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.