A Pilot Open-Label Randomized Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Acceptability of the IntegriMedical® Needle Free Injection System versus a Conventional Needle-Based System in Healthy Volunteers, Using Normal Saline as a Placebo.

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and acceptability of the IntegriMedical® Needle Free Injection System (IM-NFIS) compared to conventional hypodermic needle injections (CHN) in healthy adult subjects across multiple injection sites.

Patients and methods: Thirty healthy male subjects aged 18-45 years were enrolled in this open-label study. Each subject received both NF and CHN injections at five different sites (forearm, abdomen, thigh, buttocks, and arm). In the study, participants in the forearm cohort received 0.1 mL of saline, whereas, for all other injection sites, 0.5 mL of saline was administered. Both needle-free and hypodermic needle injections were used at the designated sites, with a 5- to 10-minute interval between each injection. Since no active drug was used, saline served as a placebo in both methods. Safety assessments included local and systemic reactions, pain scores using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and acceptability questionnaires. The study adhered to ethical guidelines and was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.

Results: NF injections demonstrated significantly lower pain scores compared to CHN injections (mean VAS score 0.23 vs 1.07, p < 0.01). Local site reactions were minimal and similar between NF and CHN injections, with no significant differences observed at 20-30 minutes post-injection. Systemic reactions were absent in both groups throughout the study period. The NF injection system was highly acceptable, with a majority of subjects reporting reduced anxiety and pain compared to CHN injections (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: IM-NFIS proved to be safe, well tolerated, and highly acceptable for delivering pharmaceuticals compared to conventional needle and syringe injections. This needle-free technology offers potential advantages in improving patient compliance and reducing injection-related anxieties, suggesting its promising role in future medical practices, including pediatric vaccinations and frequent medication administration.