NCT06929715

Effect of an Educational Intervention on CPR Knowledge and Skills in Schoolchildren

Effect of an Educational Intervention on CPR Knowledge and Skills in 7- and 8-Year-Old Schoolchildren: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 388 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Nacional de Colombia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 7 Years – 8 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a CPR intervention for children aged 7 and 8. Given the high prevalence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) and the proven benefits of early CPR training, the study seeks to determine whether a structured intervention can improve young children's knowledge and skills in basic life support. What is the effect of a CPR training intervention on the knowledge and skills of 7- and 8-year-old schoolchildren? Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Research shows that survival rates increase significantly when CPR is performed promptly by a trained bystander. Countries with early CPR training programs in schools, such as Norway and Denmark, report better survival outcomes. However, in Latin America, CPR education in schools is still in its early stages. Evidence suggests that children can effectively learn and retain CPR knowledge, and they can serve as multipliers by passing their knowledge to family and peers. Study Design: This is a non-randomized, double-blind controlled trial with four phases:

Detailed description

Intervention Design - Developing an age-appropriate CPR training intervention based on educational and cognitive development theories. Content Validation - Experts in child education and health professionals will assess the content and delivery methods. Validation of Assessment Tools - Ensuring reliability in measuring children's CPR knowledge and skills. Intervention Implementation and Evaluation - The intervention will be conducted in schools, with pre- and post-tests assessing knowledge and skills retention after 3 months. Expected Outcomes: Improved knowledge and skill levels in CPR among children who receive the intervention. Validation of a structured educational approach for teaching CPR to young children. Contribution to global evidence on CPR education and its potential impact in Bogotá schools.

Conditions

• CPR
• Cardiac Arrest (CA)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Intervention for Teaching the First Link in the Chain of Survival to 7- and 8-Year-Old Children	Unlike traditional CPR training programs designed primarily for older children or adults, this intervention is uniquely tailored for 7- and 8-year-old schoolchildren. It employs a narrative-based, age-appropriate educational approach that incorporates storytelling, interactive activities, and practical simulation exercises aligned with the cognitive and motor development of young learners. Delivered by school nurses in a classroom setting, the program not only focuses on teaching the first link in the chain of survival but also ensures that its content and methods are rigorously validated by experts. Moreover, the intervention includes a follow-up evaluation at three months to assess the retention of knowledge and skills, distinguishing it from other clinical studies that lack such long-term assessment.
OTHER	Placebo Intervention - First Aid (Excluding Basic CPR)	In the control arm, participants receive a structured first aid educational program that intentionally excludes any training on the first link in the chain of survival. This intervention focuses on general first aid skills-such as wound care, management of minor injuries, and other non-cardiac emergency procedures-ensuring that no content related to recognizing a cardiac emergency or activating the emergency response system is provided. Delivered in a classroom setting by qualified personnel, the program is designed to mirror the overall structure, duration, and engagement level of the CPR intervention without overlapping its core content. Expert validation has been obtained to confirm that the curriculum remains neutral and strictly adheres to general first aid, thereby serving as a robust comparator to isolate the specific effects of CPR training in young schoolchildren.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2025-08-15
• Completion: 2025-09-01
• First posted: 2025-04-16
• Last updated: 2025-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Colombia