US Medical Term · tests
Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
Estudio de Conducción Nerviosa (ECN)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) |
| Spanish (Español) | Estudio de Conducción Nerviosa (ECN) |
| Chinese (中文) | 神經傳導速度測試 |
| Korean (한국어) | 신경 전도 검사 (NCS) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nghiên cứu dẫn truyền thần kinh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Nerve Conduction Study |
| Portuguese (Português) | Estudo de Condução Nervosa (ECN) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจการนำสัญญาณประสาท |
| Japanese (日本語) | 神経伝導検査 |
What it means
A nerve conduction study measures how fast and how strongly electrical signals travel through your nerves. Small electrode patches are placed on your skin over the nerve being tested. A mild electrical pulse is sent through one electrode, and the response is recorded at another. You will feel a brief tingling or shock-like sensation with each pulse, which can be mildly uncomfortable but is not harmful. The test usually lasts 20 to 60 minutes. It is used to diagnose conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and nerve injuries. NCS is often done together with an EMG to get a complete picture of nerve and muscle health. Let your doctor know if you have a pacemaker.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Will the electrical shocks during the nerve conduction study be painful?
¿Los pequeños choques eléctricos del estudio de conducción nerviosa serán dolorosos?
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my nerve conduction study?
¿Necesito prepararme de alguna manera para mi estudio de conducción nerviosa?
Will the nerve conduction study show whether I have carpal tunnel syndrome?
¿El estudio de conducción nerviosa mostrará si tengo síndrome del túnel carpiano?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026