The Impact of Different Recovery Positions on the Perfusion of the Lower Forearm and Comfort

Summary

Introduction: A side-lying recovery position is recommended when victims are unresponsive but breathing normally and, hence, do not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In 2021, the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders issued new guidelines which included the description of a modified recovery position to avoid problems in victims with joint stiffness and to overcome potential obstructed venous return in the dependent arm. Based on good practice insights, the dependent arm will now be extended and not bent to support the other arm. However, there is currently no evidence available to support a specific recovery position.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of different recovery positions on perfusion of the forearm and associated comfort.

Methods: In this cross-over randomized controlled trial, 24 healthy volunteers will be placed in either the lateral recovery position with extended dependent arm or with bent arm, and in the other position thereafter. Before and between both recovery positions, the volunteers will be positioned supine for 15 min. Several perfusion indices of the forearm will be non-or mildly invasively monitored in the respective recovery positions by radial artery tonometry, ulnar artery echo doppler and venous congestion plethysmography. Subjective participant's discomfort and pain will be assessed as well. Differences in continuous outcomes between the different recovery positions will be assessed with paired t-tests or wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Discussion: The benefit of lateral positioning of adults and children with decreased level of consciousness has been widely accepted despite limited supportive scientific evidence. We here will provide direct evidence (i) whether venous drainage in the dependent limb is impaired when positioning the victim in the lateral recovery position with bent arms and (ii) whether this potential complication can be minimized by extending the dependent arm. The major limitations of this study is that healthy volunteers, instead of non-responsive victims, are included as participants, and that the study will be performed in a highly controlled environment. Nevertheless, the generated insights will directly fuel evidence-based treatment recommendations regarding the recovery position in first aid settings, and fill a current gap in evidence.

Conditions

• Unconsciousness

Interventions

OTHER

recovery position

A side-lying recovery position is a first aid intervention that can be performed by laypeople when victims are unresponsive but breathing normally and, hence, do not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Antwerp

  collaborator OTHER

• Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgium

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hilde Heuten · University Hospital, Antwerp

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-12-21

Primary Completion

2023-10-31

Completion

2023-10-31

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations