Humming La Macarena during CPR chest compressions can save lives, experts reveal
La Macarena is joined by Stayin Alive, Dancing Queen and Quit Playing Games in the list of songs that can help with CPR.
Saturday 2 June 2018 10:57, UK
Spanish dancefloor favourite La Macarena could save lives, with the rhythm helping first responders to keep time while doing CPR chest compressions.
Researchers asked 164 students to carry out the life-saving technique on a mannequin over a two-minute period.
Some of the students were asked to hum La Macarena, released by Los del Rio in 1995, as they did so.
Others were asked to use a smartphone app which made a noise at 103 beats per minute, while a third group were given no guidance at all.
The study found that those in the La Macarena group performed nearly three quarters (74%) of compressions at the recommended rate of between 100 and 120 beats per minute.
Those using the app fared better, achieving 91% in the target range, but were the slowest to start the first compression.
The group who were given no guidance at all stayed within the recommended rate just 24% of the time.
The authors of the report said: "Both the app and using mental memory aid La Macarena improved the quality of chest compressions by increasing the proportion of adequate rate but not the depth of compressions.
"The metronome app was more effective but with a significant onset delay."
The findings by researchers from the University of Barcelona, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, and Universitat Autonoma Barcelona were presented at the Euroanaesthesia congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
La Macarena is joined by the Bee Gees' ironically named classic Stayin' Alive in the list of songs that can help with CPR.
Abba's Dancing Queen and Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) by the Backstreet Boys can also help keep time with chest compressions when hummed.