Nerve Conduction Study - Patient Risk

Patient Risk

Nerve conduction studies are very helpful to diagnose certain diseases of the nerves of the body. The test is not invasive, but can be very painful due to the electrical shocks. The shocks are associated with a low amount of electrical current so they are not dangerous to anyone. Patients with a permanent pacemaker or other such implanted stimulators such as deep brain stimulators or spinal cord stimulators must tell the examiner prior to the study. This does not prevent the study, but special precautions are taken.

The nerve conduction study is sometimes combined with electromyography.

Other special nerve conduction studies that are occasionally performed include double stimuli and repetitive stimulation.