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Review
. 2025 Jun 25;13(1):e58.
doi: 10.22037/aaemj.v13i1.2704. eCollection 2025.

Effect of Compression Rotation Intervals on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Affiliations
Review

Effect of Compression Rotation Intervals on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Chinnawudh Sawee et al. Arch Acad Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: Reducing the compression rotation interval from 2 to 1 minute is expected to improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of altering the compression rotation interval on key CPR quality parameters, including compression depth, rate, and rescuer fatigue.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials from their inception to May 15, 2025. We searched for randomized controlled trials, simulation studies, and crossover studies that compared 1-min and 2-min compression rotation times. The assessed outcomes included compression depth, rate, correctness, and rescuer fatigue, which were reported as the standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results: One randomized controlled trial and seven randomized crossover studies, involving 668 rescuers in total, using manikins, were included. The 1-min rotation group exhibited significantly greater compression depth, with an increase of 2.06 mm (SMD = 2.06, 95% CI: 0.44-3.68, p < 0.001). This group demonstrated lower levels of fatigue, as indicated by a significant reduction on the visual analog scale for fatigue (SMD = -1.27, 95% CI: -2.24 to -0.30, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the compression rate or percentage of compressions that achieved adequate depth.

Conclusion: It seems that altering the chest compression rotation interval from 2 min to 1 min improves the compression depth and reduces rescuer fatigue. However, parameters, such as the compression rate and compression adequacy, remained unchanged. Notably, all the studies were conducted on manikins, thus necessitating further research to assess the applicability of these changes in real-world clinical settings.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Heart Arrest; Heart Massage; Task Performance and Analysis; Time Factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram of the present meta-analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of the risk of bias per item (A) and traffic light plots of the risk of bias assessment (B) of the studies according to the RoB2 for crossover and parallel randomized trial.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A: Forest plot comparing chest compression depth between 1-min and 2-min compression rotation intervals; B: Forest plot of subgroup analysis of compression depth by provider type (lay rescuers vs. trained providers); C: Forest plot comparing chest compression rates between compression rotation intervals; D: Forest plot comparing the percentage of compressions within the recommended rate range; and E: Forest plot comparing rescuer fatigue scores between the two compression rotation intervals.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Funnel plot assessing potential publication bias for chest compression depth.

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