Patient guide · Clinical Neurophysiology
Nerve conduction studies (NCS), measuring how well electrical signals travel down your peripheral nerves.
Nerve conduction studies use small electrical impulses and surface electrodes to measure conduction velocity and amplitude in peripheral nerves — diagnosing carpal tunnel, ulnar neuropathy, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Often combined with needle EMG.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
A consultant clinical neurophysiologist who performs and reports your study — one clinician, one answer.
- 02
Answers within days
Findings are usually discussed at the end of the study, with a full written report to follow.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
Nerve conduction studies at a glance.
The six things worth knowing before you scroll further — what the test is, how long it takes, what it feels like, and who interprets it.
- 01
Definition
Electrical stimulation and surface recording of peripheral nerve function, performed in a neurophysiology laboratory.
- 02
30–45 minute test
A typical study of the arms or legs takes 30–45 minutes, depending on how many nerves need testing.
- 03
Mild electric-shock sensation
Each stimulus feels like a brief, mild electric shock — uncomfortable but not painful.
- 04
Complements needle EMG
Nerve conduction studies are often paired with needle electromyography to separate nerve from muscle disease.
- 05
Interpreted by a specialist
Every study is interpreted by a consultant clinical neurophysiologist — never a technician alone.
- 06
Diagnostic reach
Diagnostic for many nerve entrapments and peripheral neuropathies, from carpal tunnel to Guillain-Barré syndrome.
How it works
From referral to report — what happens, in order.
One consultant clinical neurophysiologist from the first stimulus to the structured report.
Phase 1 · Before your test
Referral and preparation
Phase 2 · On the day
Electrodes, stimulation, recording
Phase 3 · After
Written report
- 01
Before
Neurology referral
A consultant neurologist reviews your symptoms, examination and any prior imaging, and confirms whether nerve conduction studies are the right test.
- 02
Before
Warm limbs
Cold limbs slow conduction and distort results. You’ll be asked to arrive well-wrapped, and limbs are warmed before testing.
- 03
Before
No moisturisers on skin
Creams and lotions interfere with the electrode-to-skin contact. Please skip them on the day of the test.
- 04
On the day
Surface electrodes applied
Small adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin over the nerves and muscles being tested.
- 05
On the day
Small electrical stimuli delivered
Brief, mild electrical pulses stimulate each nerve. Sensation is like a quick electric-shock tap.
- 06
On the day
Motor and sensory nerves tested
Both motor (muscle-supplying) and sensory (feeling-carrying) nerve fibres are assessed for conduction velocity and amplitude.
- 07
After
Written report
A structured report from the consultant clinical neurophysiologist — with clear next steps for your referring team.
Typical study duration: 30–45 minutes. Combined with needle EMG: 45–60 minutes.
What it shows
What nerve conduction studies can diagnose.
The presentations nerve conduction studies are designed for — with the red-flag pathway called out separately.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
The most common indication — median nerve conduction slowing across the wrist.
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Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow
Localises ulnar nerve compression at the cubital tunnel or Guyon’s canal.
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Peroneal palsy
Common peroneal nerve conduction block at the fibular head, causing foot drop.
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Radiculopathy
Supports diagnosis of nerve-root compression when combined with needle EMG.
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Peripheral polyneuropathy (diabetic, alcohol)
Characterises length-dependent axonal neuropathy from diabetes, alcohol or other metabolic causes.
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Guillain-Barré syndrome (demyelination)
Detects the acquired demyelinating pattern that defines GBS — with conduction block and prolonged distal latencies.
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Motor neurone disease pattern
Together with needle EMG, supports the diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
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Red flag: rapidly progressive weakness — urgent neurology (GBS pathway)
Ascending weakness over days is a medical emergency — same-day neurology assessment, not a routine outpatient wait.
Next steps
What happens after the study.
The eight most common next steps — from splinting and physiotherapy to steroid injection, decompression surgery and immunotherapy.
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Splinting for carpal tunnel
Wrist splints — often worn at night — for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Steroid injection
Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection into the carpal or cubital tunnel for symptomatic relief.
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Nerve decompression surgery
Carpal tunnel release, ulnar nerve decompression or peroneal nerve release when conservative measures fail.
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Physiotherapy
Targeted physiotherapy for nerve gliding, posture and strengthening around the affected limb.
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Neuropathic pain therapy
Gabapentin, pregabalin or duloxetine for painful peripheral neuropathy.
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Diabetes optimisation
Tight glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk-factor modification for diabetic neuropathy.
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IVIG for Guillain-Barré syndrome
Intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange for acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
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Structured neurology follow-up
A clear follow-up plan with your neurologist — surveillance, escalation or discharge.
Red flags
When nerve conduction studies shouldn’t wait.
The nine situations that push nerve conduction studies up the queue — and, in some cases, straight onto the acute neurology pathway.
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Guillain-Barré syndrome
Acute ascending weakness with areflexia — a neurological emergency requiring immediate admission.
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Motor neurone disease
Progressive weakness with mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs — urgent MND service referral.
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Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
The demyelinating variant of GBS — same-day neurology and inpatient monitoring.
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Vasculitic neuropathy
Painful, asymmetric mononeuritis multiplex — urgent rheumatology and neurology work-up.
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Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
CIDP — a treatable demyelinating neuropathy that should not be missed on nerve conduction studies.
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Post-radiotherapy plexopathy
Late brachial or lumbosacral plexopathy after prior radiotherapy — specialist assessment needed.
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Toxic neuropathy
Drug- or chemical-induced neuropathy (chemotherapy, heavy metals) — needs the offending agent identified.
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Compressive neuropathy with wasting
Visible muscle wasting alongside compression signs — early surgical opinion.
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Post-surgical nerve injury
New nerve deficit after surgery — early nerve conduction studies help localise and guide repair.
Reading your report
A nerve conduction report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and referral question
Your details, the reason for the study, and the specific clinical question the referring neurologist wants answered.
- 02 Technique
Nerves tested and conditions
Which motor and sensory nerves were interrogated, skin temperature, and any technical limitations.
- 03 Findings
Latency, velocity, amplitude
Nerve-by-nerve description of distal latency, conduction velocity and response amplitude — compared against reference ranges.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion — read this first
Whether findings support carpal tunnel, ulnar neuropathy, polyneuropathy, demyelination or a normal study — and the concrete next step.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about nerve conduction studies.
Quick answers on what the test feels like, preparation, pacemaker safety, and how quickly results come back.
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What actually happens during nerve conduction studies — will it hurt?
A neurophysiologist places small surface electrodes on your skin and delivers brief electrical pulses — it feels like a sharp tap or a static shock, uncomfortable rather than painful. The study measures how fast and strongly signals travel down your peripheral nerves, diagnoses entrapments like carpal tunnel and neuropathies, and is usually available privately in London within a week for around £450–£750 including consultant reporting.
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Do nerve conduction studies hurt?
Each stimulus feels like a brief, mild electric shock — uncomfortable but not painful. Most patients tolerate the test easily, and it can be paused at any time.
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How long does the test take?
A typical study takes 30–45 minutes, depending on how many nerves need testing. Combined NCS and needle EMG usually takes 45–60 minutes in total.
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Do I need to prepare for the test?
Keep your limbs warm on the day, don’t apply moisturisers or oils to the skin being tested, and bring a list of your medications and any prior neurology letters.
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Can I have nerve conduction studies if I have a pacemaker?
Usually yes — the electrical stimuli used are very small — but you should tell the neurophysiology team in advance so precautions can be taken. Implanted cardiac devices are not an absolute contraindication.
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How quickly do I get results?
Findings are usually discussed with you at the end of the study. A structured written report from the consultant clinical neurophysiologist follows within a few working days.
Sources
The guidance behind this guide.
- British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology.
- European Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.
- American Academy of Neurology. Practice guidelines.
- Royal College of Physicians.
Reviewed 2026-07-30 by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, . Next review 2027-07-30. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
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In practice, in London
The London pathway for nerve conduction studies
With nerve conduction studies, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, nerve conduction studies typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
A private nerve conduction studies pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For nerve conduction studies specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Fit matters more than people expect. For nerve conduction studies, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.
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