A comprehensive, systematic review, that looked at all research undertaken - 509 papers, including 5 independent studies specifically on CPREzy, has concluded that feedback/prompt devices improve CPR performance and so supports their use on manikins and patients.

Link to full paper

The author’s conclusion states:

“This review provides good evidence supporting the use of CPR feedback/prompt devices during CPR training as a strategy to improve CPR skill acquisition and retention.”

And regarding use on actual patients, goes on to say:

“The evidence suggests that the use of CPR feedback/prompt devices in clinical practice as part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of CPR may be beneficial.”

In summary, it improves skill acquisition and retention, and should be used in training. Furthermore the evidence encourages the use of feedback/prompt devices in the clinical environment, on real patients, also.

This was the most comprehensive review of the field ever undertaken and warrants respect. In some cases people will now wish to change their approach to CPR training and practice as, if a feedback/prompt is not being used, they cannot be delivering “best practice”.

There is one word of warning……..

“The accuracy of CPR feedback/prompt devices to measure compression depth should be calibrated to take account of the stiffness of the support surface upon which CPR is being performed (e.g. floor/mattress).”

ONLY the CPREzy fulfils this requirement. As the CPREzy uses pressure to assess the performance of the rescuer and give feedback, any variation in the softness of a mattress is absorbed. Devices that use accelerometer technology do not take this into account and will give misleading feedback.

Indeed a study was published, again in Resuscitation, on exactly this a few years ago and concluded:

“[The CPREzy] has been shown to improve the performance of chest compressions when undertaken with the victim on a hospital bed.”

See CPREzy on a bed