• L Mårtensson, K Nyberg, and G Wallin.
• Department of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Sweden.
• BJOG. 2000 Oct 1;107(10):1248-51.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether, during injections of sterile water, there is any difference in perceived pain between intracutaneous and subcutaneous injections.DesignBlind controlled trial with cross-over design.SettingGöteborg and Skövde, Sweden.ParticipantsOne hundred healthy female volunteers.MethodsThe women were randomised into two groups and subjected to two trials, within one week of each other. During the first trial one group (n = 50) received the intracutaneous injection first, followed by the subcutaneous injection. The second group (n = 50) was given the subcutaneous injection first, followed by intracutaneous injection. In both groups all the injections were given in reverse order during the second trial.Main Outcome MeasuresExperienced pain during the administration of sterile water injections, measured by visual analogue scale.ResultsThe analysis showed intracutaneous injections to be significantly more painful than subcutaneous injections, even after adjusting for injection day and for left/right site of injection (mean 60.8 vs 41.3, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the less painful subcutaneous injection technique should be used.

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