Use of a Metronome in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Simulation Study
Elise Zimmerman, Naiomi Cohen, Vincenzo Maniaci, Barbara Pena, Juan Manuel Lozano, Marc Linares
Pediatrics, 2015
Links PubMed Pediatrics pdf
The Bottom Line
Using a metronome during CPR may help chest compressors maintain their rate.
What They Did
- The investigators conducted a prospective crossover randomized controlled trial of pediatric residents, fellows, nurses, and medical students who they randomly assigned to do chest compressions on a mannikin with and without a metronome
- The metronome sounded at a rate of 100 times per minute
- The investigators also piped in “background noise”
- Each participant did 2-minutes of CPR, twice with a 15-minute break in between cycles. One group had metronome first, the other metronome second.
- The CPR rate and depth were recorded electronically via the ResusciAnne Wireless SkillReporter software
- Metronome on 72% adequate rate (90-100 compressions/minute) vs 50% off (95% CI, 15% to 29%)
- No significant difference was noted in the mean percentage of compressions within acceptable depth (38–51 mm)
- Interestingly the metronome had a larger effect amongst med students, residents and fellows as opposed to the pediatric nurses
What You Can Do
- This is one of those “so simple why didn’t I think of it” ideas
- Go ahead and try using a metronome the next time you run a sim or practice CPR. Maybe you even bring one into your resuscitation area?
- The reason why PALS teachers recommended “listening to” Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees is that the song is 103 beats per minute. Interestingly a study from 2011 looked at compression rates while CPR participants listen to either “Achy Breaky Heart,” “Disco Science” or no music at all.
- OK, so listen to both songs if you dare
Achy Breaky Heart
Disco Science - What do you think they found?
- OK, so listen to both songs if you dare
