Effectiveness of a video‑based refresher on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill retention in college students: A single‑blind randomized controlled trial

Kyeongmin Jang; Sung Hwan Kim

doi:10.4103/tjem.tjem_283_25

Kyeongmin Jang¹, Sung Hwan Kim²

¹Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Daejin University, Pocheon‑si, Gyeonggi‑do, South Korea
²Department of Nursing, Catholic Sangji University, Andong‑si, South Korea

Keywords: Basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, college students, skill retention, video refresher

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills decline within months after training, particularly among lay college students. We evaluated whether a brief video based refresher improves 6 month CPR skill retention.

METHODS: We conducted a single blind randomized controlled trial among 2^nd year college students in Seoul, South Korea, who had completed Basic Life Support (BLS). Participants were randomized to an experimental group (n = 33) that received a 2 min video refresher at 3 months or to a control group (n = 30) with no refresher. CPR competencies – cardiac arrest recognition, emergency medical system (EMS) activation, chest compressions, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use – were assessed immediately after training and at 6 months using a standardized checklist.

RESULTS: At 6 months, the experimental group showed significantly better retention for cardiac arrest recognition (P = 0.003), EMS activation (P = 0.003), and chest compression performance (P = 0.020) than the control group. AED use did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.235).

CONCLUSION: A brief video refresher delivered 3 months after BLS significantly enhances 6 month retention of key CPR skills in college students. This low cost, scalable strategy may help maintain CPR competence where repeated hands on training is hard to provide.

How to cite this article: Jang K, Kim SH. Effectiveness of a video‑based refresher on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill retention in college students: A single‑blind randomized controlled trial. Turk J Emerg Med 2026;26:116-23.