A comparison of the effect of two methods of positioning the hands during basic and advanced cardiovascular life support on the chest compression depth in adults

Abstract

Introduction: There is no agreement on how the hands are positioned in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In this study, the effects of two methods of positioning the hands during basic and advanced cardiovascular life support on the chest compression depth are compared.

Methods: In this observational simulation, the samples included 62 nursing students and emergency medicine students trained in CPR. Each student performed two interventions in both basic and advanced situations on manikins and two positions of dominant hand on non-dominant hand, and vice versa, within four weeks. At each compression, the chest compression depth was numerically expressed in centimeter. Each student was assessed individually and without feedback.

Results: The highest mean chest compression depth was related to Basic Cardiovascular Life Support (BCLS) and the position of the dominant hand on non-dominant hand (5.50 ± 0.6) and ( P = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in the basic and advanced regression variables in men and women except in the case of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) with dominant hand on non-dominant hand ( P = 0.018). There was no significant difference in mean chest compression during basic and advanced cardiovascular life support in left- and right-handed individuals ( P = 0.09).

Conclusion: When the dominant hand is on the non-dominant hand, more pressure with greater depth is applied.