Dissertation defence (Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care): MSc Desale Tewelde Kahsay

MSc Desale Tewelde Kahsay defends the dissertation in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care titled “Wearable real-time feedback device to monitor chest compression quality during CPR: Early-stage medical device development” at the University of Turku on 12 June 2026 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi lecture hall, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku).

Opponent: Docent Toni Haapa (Tampere University)

Custos: Professor Teijo Saari (University of Turku)

Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:

Every year, many people experience cardiac arrest, a life-threatening situation where the heart suddenly stops beating effectively. In these emergencies, chest compressions must be initiated immediately to maintain blood flow to vital organs and improve the chances of survival. This dissertation explored how real-time audiovisual feedback (AVF) devices can support people in delivering high-quality chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The focus was on the conceptualisation, development, and evaluation of an early-stage, real-time, soft, flexible, standalone wearable feedback device (ResuGlove) for monitoring the quality of chest compressions during CPR.

The first phase of the study informed the design of soft, flexible, and real-time standalone AVF devices called ResuGlove by identifying gaps in the literature through a systematic review and by defining user requirements and factors affecting the acceptability of real-time AVF devices through user interviews. The systematic review revealed that real-time standalone AVF devices can improve specific chest-compression metrics. However, a significant number of rescuers reported increased discomfort and hand pain when using rigid standalone AVF devices. The interview-based qualitative study revealed that a complex interaction among functional performance and contextual usability shapes user requirements and acceptability of real-time AVF devices.

Using knowledge gained from systematic review and users and interviews, the second phase of the study focused on the design of a textile-based, soft, flexible, hand-adaptable, portable wearable resuscitation glove featuring embedded pressure and accelerometer sensors that monitor and provide feedback on the quality of chest compressions, with a particular focus on compression depth, rate, and chest release. The proof-of-concept study in the second phase demonstrated that a soft, flexible, hand-adaptable, standalone AVF device equipped with pressure and accelerometer sensors could be a viable alternative to currently available rigid, real-time AVF devices. The proof-of-concept study revealed that the devices have the potential to reduce rescuers’ hand discomfort and minimise sensor displacement during CPR.

Finally, a simulation-based randomised crossover trial, followed by a usability test using the System Usability Scale, was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of the ResuGlove prototype. The newly designed prototype improved certain chest compression metrics compared with standard CPR. The device's usability was also encouraging, with the average score within the acceptable range. However, the score was at the lower end of the acceptable range, indicating that further work is needed to improve the device's usability and user acceptance in real-world settings.

This study emphasised the significant advantages of multidisciplinary collaboration and early user involvement in the development of medical devices. Rather than focusing solely on the technical aspects, the research examined how users interact with the device, its comfort level, and its practicality during real resuscitation situations. Therefore, work has the potential to positively influence CPR by enabling soft, flexible wearable devices that enhance comfort for rescuers, thereby increasing the devices' accessibility and acceptability. In the future, wearable technologies such as Smart Gloves could support both healthcare professionals and laypersons in delivering higher-quality chest compressions during CPR. Improving CPR quality, in turn, can increase survival rates and reduce long-term complications after cardiac arrest, which is the ultimate goal of high-quality CPR.