Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) in Dubai

Comprehensive Nerve Conduction Study NCS in Dubai

A nerve conduction study (NCS), also called a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test is a non-invasive diagnostic method which determines the speed and efficiency with which electrical impulses are transmitted through your nerves. With electrodes placed on the skin surface, the test sends a mild electrical stimulus to individual nerves and then records the conduction speed and quality of the signal along the nerve pathway. 

How Does a Nerve Conduction Study Work?

During a nerve conduction study, two sets of electrodes are put on the skin over the nerve to be tested. One electrode sends a small and administered electric shock that stimulates a nerve. It takes the response generated from this stimulation in the form of electrical activity; the second electrode is placed at a predetermined position along the nerve conduction path. 
The time taken for the impulse to travel between the two electrodes is measured accurately. The conduction velocity, which refers to the speed with which the nerve transmits the signal, is then computed. Also, the amplitude (strength) of the recorded response is measured as it indicates the number of nerve fibres involved in conducting the impulse.

Why Is a Nerve Conduction Study Done?

A nerve conduction study is recommended when a patient presents symptoms that are indicative of nerve damage or nerve dysfunction. This includes numbness, tingling, burning sensations, weakness, pain, or loss of sensation in the extremities. 

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome —Compression of the median nerve at the wrist, resulting in numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers.
  • Peripheral neuropathy — Nerve damage involving more than one nerve and usually a result of diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, chemotherapy or alcohol use
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) —An acute immune-mediated condition that attacks the peripheral nerves and causes progressively worsening weakness. 
  • Ulnar neuropathy — Compression or injury to the ulnar nerve at the elbow or wrist, leading to weakness and paraesthesia in the ring and little fingers.
  • Radiculopathy — A spinal nerve root compression resulting from a herniated disc or a spinal stenosis and causes pain, tingling, or weakness along the limbs.
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease — An inherited neurological disease that affects motor and sensory nerves.
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome —Compression of nerves or blood vessels between the clavicle and first rib. 
  • Sciatic nerve disorders —Pain, numbness, or weakness from the lower back down the leg. 
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) —An immune nerve disease with chronic course causing increasing nerve weakness and nerve sense loss. 
  • Myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular junction disorders — When combined with the repetitive nerve stimulation studies. 

The NCS is also used to monitor disease progression and response to treatment for patients whose nerve problems have been diagnosed.

Types of Nerve Conduction Studies

The specific type of nerve conduction study performed will depend on the clinical presentation and the nerve or nerves under investigation:

  • Motor nerve conduction study — Assesses nerves that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, evaluating speed and strength of the motor response
  • Sensory nerve conduction study — Evaluates nerves responsible for transmitting sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain back to the brain
  • Mixed nerve conduction study — Examines nerves that carry both motor and sensory fibres
  • F-wave study — A specialised test that measures conduction along the full length of a motor nerve, including the proximal segment closest to the spinal cord. Particularly useful in diagnosing Guillain-Barré syndrome and radiculopathy
  • H-reflex study — Evaluates the reflex arc of a nerve, most commonly the S1 nerve root, and is used in the assessment of sciatica and peripheral neuropathy
  • Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) — A series of repeated electrical stimulations used to assess the neuromuscular junction. Essential in diagnosing myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome

How to Prepare for a Nerve Conduction Study

Preparation for a nerve conduction study is simple and requires no fasting or sedation. The following steps will help ensure an accurate and comfortable test:

  • Do not apply lotions, oils, or creams to your skin for at least 24 to 48 hours before the test. These products coat the skin and interfere with electrode contact, affecting the quality of the recording.
  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the arms and legs. You may be asked to change into a gown.
  • Keep warm before your appointment. Cold body temperature slows nerve conduction and can affect results. If you tend to feel cold, dress warmly and inform the technician on arrival.
  • Inform your neurologist of all medications you are currently taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. Some medications may need to be noted in the context of your results.
  • If you have a cardiac pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, or any other implanted electronic device, inform your doctor before the test. Special precautions will be taken to ensure the procedure is performed safely.
  • Remove jewellery and metal accessories from the area being tested before arriving, as metal objects can interfere with recordings.

What to Expect During a Nerve Conduction Study

Before the Test

On arrival, your neurologist will review your symptoms, take a focused clinical history, and perform a brief neurological examination to determine which nerves need to be tested. The procedure will be explained in full, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions.

During the Test

You will be asked to sit or lie comfortably in a relaxed position. The skin over the nerves to be tested will be cleaned, and recording electrodes will be attached using a conductive paste or adhesive gel. A stimulating electrode will be positioned at a set distance from the recording electrode along the nerve pathway.A brief, mild electrical impulse is then delivered through the stimulating electrode. You will feel a small electric shock sensation – similar to a static electricity discharge – which may be momentarily uncomfortable but is not harmful. The sensation lasts only a fraction of a second.

After the Test

Once the study is complete, the electrode paste is removed from your skin. There are no restrictions following a nerve conduction study. You can return to your normal daily activities, including driving and work, immediately after the appointment. No sedation is used, and there are no after-effects.
If you experience any mild skin redness at the electrode sites, this is temporary and will resolve on its own within a short time.

Risks and Safety

A nerve conduction study is a very safe procedure. The electrical impulses used are low in voltage and are carefully controlled. There are no known long-term risks or side effects associated with NCS testing.

The brief electrical stimulations may cause a short moment of discomfort or a mild twitching sensation in the muscles. This is expected and resolves immediately after each stimulation.

Patients with implanted cardiac devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators should inform their neurologist before the test. Appropriate precautions will be taken. There is no radiation involved in this procedure.

Results

The data collected during the nerve conduction study is analysed by the neurologist immediately or shortly after the test. The report documents the conduction velocities, latencies (timing), and amplitudes of each nerve tested, comparing these values against established normal ranges.

The findings will indicate whether the nerves are functioning normally or whether there is evidence of:

  • Demyelination — slowing of conduction caused by damage to the myelin sheath, as seen in conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and CIDP
  • Axonal damage — reduced amplitude indicating loss of nerve fibres, as seen in peripheral neuropathy and severe nerve injuries
  • Focal nerve compression — localised slowing at a specific anatomical site, as seen in carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy at the elbow

Your results will be discussed with you at a follow-up consultation. The findings are always interpreted in combination with your clinical history, symptoms, and examination findings to reach an accurate diagnosis and formulate the most appropriate management plan.

Why Choose Dr. Amit Arora for Your Nerve Conduction Study in Dubai

  • Consulting at Fakeeh University Hospital — Dr. Arora sees patients at Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai , a reputable hospital that upholds the highest standards of specialist clinical care. Patients benefit from access to a fully equipped facility combined with the expertise of an internationally credentialed consultant neurologist.
  • Extensive electrophysiology experience — Dr. Arora has personally performed and reported electrophysiology procedures across his career, including nerve conduction studies, EMG, EEG, VEP and BAER.
    Specialist training in clinical neurophysiology — Dr. Arora completed the Comprehensive Clinical Neurophysiology and EEG Course at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Centre, Ohio, USA — one of the world’s foremost neurology institutions — further consolidating his technical and interpretive skills in electrophysiology.
  • Internationally credentialed neurologist — He holds a Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) in Neurology from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), UK, and a Fellowship of the European Board of Neurology (FEBN), reflecting adherence to the highest international standards of neurological practice.
  • 15 years of clinical experience, including 8 years in the UAE, across Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Aster Hospital Dubai, and Aster Clinic — giving him extensive exposure to the full spectrum of peripheral nerve and neuromuscular disorders seen in a diverse, multicultural patient population.