Effect of Bed Height on Chest Compression Quality and Provider Biomechanics During Pediatric CPR Simulation

Background and Rationale

In-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest requires rapid delivery of high-quality CPR. Compression depth, rate, and full chest recoil are key determinants of effective CPR, but maintaining these targets can be challenging due to rescuer posture, bed height, and fatigue. While step-stool use and provider height have been associated with CPR quality in some contexts, there is limited evidence on how bed-height settings-especially anthropometry-based adjustments-affect pediatric CPR performance and rescuer biomechanics over time.

Objective and Hypothesis

Objective: To determine the effect of four bed-height conditions on pediatric CPR quality and rescuer biomechanics in a controlled simulation setting.

Hypothesis: Anthropometry-based and/or self-selected bed height will improve CPR quality (e.g., correct depth and recoil) and reduce perceived exertion compared with a fixed standard bed height.

Study Design

This is a prospective, randomized, within-subject crossover simulation study. Each participant completes CPR under four bed-height conditions, with the order randomized to reduce learning and fatigue bias. Sessions are performed on separate days.

Participants

Eligible participants are volunteer pediatric emergency medicine residents (or comparable clinicians) who are trained in pediatric basic/advanced life support. Individuals with conditions that could limit safe performance of chest compressions (e.g., significant cardiopulmonary or musculoskeletal disorders) are excluded. Anticipated enrollment is approximately 25 participants.

Interventions (Bed-Height Conditions)

Participants will perform chest-compression-only CPR under four bed-height conditions:

Fixed standard bed height (e.g., 58 cm).

Anthropometry-based height A: bed height aligned to a predefined landmark (e.g., patella midpoint).

Anthropometry-based height B: bed height aligned to a second predefined landmark (e.g., a point derived from the distance between patella and anterior superior iliac spine [ASIS]/spina iliaca anterior superior [SIAS], such as the lower one-third point).

Self-selected height: participant chooses the bed height they feel is optimal.

(Replace the anthropometric definitions above with your exact operational definitions.)

Procedures

A pediatric manikin with objective CPR measurement capability (e.g., Laerdal Little Junior QCPR) is placed on a hospital bed. For each condition, the participant performs 2 minutes of continuous chest compressions as a single rescuer. No metronome and no real-time corrective feedback are provided during the compression period (unless your protocol uses feedback; then adjust this sentence). Standardized hand placement and compression position are instructed.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome

Correct Compression Depth (%) during each 2-minute session (manikin-derived).

Secondary Outcomes

Average compression depth (mm)

Average compression rate (compressions/min)

Correct chest recoil / release (%)

Composite CPR quality scores (e.g., compression score, total score), as available from the manikin system

Rescuer fatigue: Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion immediately after each session

Physiologic response: heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measured pre- and post-session (and change from baseline)

Rescuer biomechanics: arm/upper-limb angle measured from video at standardized time points during compressions (e.g., 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 seconds)

Statistical Considerations

Outcomes will be compared across bed-height conditions using within-subject methods (e.g., linear mixed-effects models with participant as a random effect). Pairwise comparisons will be adjusted for multiple testing. Exploratory analyses may evaluate whether participant anthropometry (height, BMI, etc.) modifies the effect of bed height on CPR quality.

Ethical Considerations

This is a simulation-based study with no patient involvement and minimal risk. Participants may stop at any time due to discomfort or fatigue. The study has ethics approval from [Akdeniz Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Kurulu, Approval Number: 875 /09/28/2025] and all participants provide informed consent.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Pediatric resident/assistant physician working in the Department of Pediatrics (Akdeniz University) with valid ÇİYAD certification
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• Able to perform a 2-minute continuous chest-compression CPR cycle on a pediatric manikin
• Available to complete four CPR sessions (each at a different bed-height condition) on separate days

Exclusion criteria

• Known chronic cardiopulmonary disease that may limit physical exertion during CPR
• Known musculoskeletal disorder or chronic condition that may affect CPR performance
• Acute injury/illness at the time of participation that could impair safe CPR performance
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent