NCV Test at Home: Purpose, Preparation and Results

A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test is used to evaluate nerve dysfunction and damage. The procedure helps measure the speed at which electrical impulses are sent through the peripheral nerves of your body.

The peripheral nerves aid in experiencing different senses and control the muscles. Healthy nerves pass electrical signals with greater strength and more quickly than damaged nerves. If there are abnormalities sending the signals, they can be detected through an NCV test.

The procedure helps the doctor to diagnose a nerve disorder or a condition where an injury to the nerves has affected the muscles. It also allows detecting an injury caused to the nerve fibre or damage to the protective covering that surrounds the nerve, also known as the myelin sheath.

Taking an NCV test at home is vital for accurate diagnosis and to determine the best treatment course – all from the comfort of your home. No need to visit a hospital or diagnostic centre; no need to wait in long queues. The procedure can now be performed at home by highly skilled technicians and the report can be shared with your doctor.

Purpose of an NCV Test

A nerve conduction velocity test is used to diagnose several nerve-related disorders, including:

• Peripheral nerve injury
• Muscle disorders
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatic nerve problems
• Chronic neuropathy and inflammatory polyneuropathy
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Herniated disc disease
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease
• Trauma

If you experience a pinched nerve, your doctor may recommend an NCV test.

In addition to the NCV test, an electromyography (EMG) procedure may also be performed. It helps record the electrical impulses passing through the muscles. This can help diagnose the presence, extent and precise location of any medical condition that may be damaging your nerves and muscles.

How is an NCV Test Performed?

It is a non-invasive procedure that is performed by placing adhesive patches (surface electrodes) on the skin, particularly over muscles and nerves at different spots. Using a handheld stimulator or through other patches, a mild electrical impulse is sent to the body to stimulate your nerves.

The electrical activity caused in the body due to the signals is recorded by electrodes. The speed of the nerve signals is measured by determining the distance between the electrodes and the time electrical impulses take to travel from one electrode to another.

Several nerves can be tested at the same time during the procedure.

How to Prepare for an NCV Test?

Before prescribing the test, the doctor will discuss certain behaviours, medications and conditions that might affect the test result. For any of the following conditions, talk to your doctor before taking the test:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Use of neurologic medications such as opioids, muscle relaxants or psychotropic medications
• Systematic diseases
• Alcohol use

Also inform your doctor if you have a pacemaker since the electrodes used in this test may affect the medical device’s electronic impulses, causing health risks.

Your doctor may recommend you not to use any oil or lotion on the skin a few days before taking the test. The ingredients used in oil or cream may prevent the electrodes from being placed on your skin properly. It may not be necessary to fast but you may require avoiding caffeine before taking the test.

Before you take the test, you will be asked to remove your clothing, eyeglasses, hairpins, hearing aids, jewellery or any other metal object that may affect the test results. Depending on the complexity of the test, you may be made to lie down or sit for the procedure. An experienced neurologist will then detect the nerves that need to be studied, followed by the procedure.

When the nerves are being stimulated via brief and mild electric shocks, you might experience minor discomfort initially. The nerve stimulation and the diagnosed response is displayed on an oscilloscope which is a monitor that shows the electrical activities in the form of waves.

The entire test may take around 20-30 minutes on one limb. In a case where all the limbs are being tested, then the procedure may take more than 1 hour. The experience may be a little discomfiting but not painful.

The test may be performed in more than one part of the body based on the neurologist’s evaluation. Typically, the procedure is done along the path of the nerves on a leg or an arm based on the condition being diagnosed.

Understanding Your NCV Test Results

Typically, an NCV test at home renders objective measurement of the nerve’s health, depending on the subjective reports of poor functioning or pain. A nerve conduction velocity ranging between 50 and 60 metres per second is considered to be normal.

The doctor will compare your test results against the standard norm of NCV. The result may be affected by the part of your body being tested, your age, where you live, or even your sex.

If the velocity falls outside the standard, it indicates a damaged nerve or some other nerve-related disease. However, the test does not precisely indicate the cause of damage. There are several factors that may be affecting a nerve, including injury or trauma, inherited disorders, diabetes, nutritional deficiency, alcohol use, thyroid, liver or kidney disease, herniated disc, vasculitis or cancer.

The diagnosis will be based on other information as per your physical symptoms and medical history. The treatment procedure will vary according to your specific health condition.

What are the Risks?

The electric impulses used in the NCV test are very mild. Hence, the risks are minimal. However, if you have any health condition, use certain medications or have cardiac defibrillators or pacemakers, it may be important to take extra precautions. Otherwise, it is a safe and non-invasive procedure.

Request an Appointment for NCV Test in Delhi

If you want to take an NCV test in Delhi, trust Star Home Care. We have more than two decades of industry experience and provide NCV test at home. Our team of highly skilled technicians have the expertise to perform the procedure at home, safely and accurately. Call us at +91-9999889489 to book an appointment.