Scan4Health’s Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) test provides clear insights into your nervous system health. This quick, painless assessment evaluates the function of your autonomic nerves, particularly those involved in stress responses. It is useful for identifying conditions that affect involuntary body functions and is recommended for individuals experiencing unusual sweating, abnormal skin sensations, or symptoms related to nerve or spinal cord disorders. The SSR test is recommended for people with symptoms such as unexplained sweating, tingling, numbness, or other signs that their autonomic nerves may not be functioning correctly. At Scan4Health, we use the latest equipment to carefully measure subtle electrical changes in your skin that reveal how your nerves communicate with your sweat glands. Our skilled team ensures you are comfortable and guides you through each step, delivering reliable results and caring support.

• Do not consume caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine for 8 to 12 hours before your appointment to ensure test results are not affected.
• Wear loose clothing, as small sensors will be placed on your hands and feet for the test. This makes the process easier.
• Remain well hydrated the day before and the morning of the test, unless otherwise instructed, to ensure optimal skin conductance.
• Continue taking regular medications unless advised differently by your doctor—certain drugs may affect sympathetic responses and could require consultation.
• If you have a fever, a skin infection, or are currently using skin creams or lotions, please notify our team before arrival so we can make adjustments or reschedule.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow for preparation, acclimatization to the test setting, and relaxation.

The SSR test at Scan4Health measures how the skin’s electrical potential changes in response to controlled stimuli. Recording electrodes are placed on the palmar (hand) and plantar (foot) surfaces, which are the most sensitive sites for capturing the reaction due to high sweat gland density. A small electrical stimulus, often delivered via the median or tibial nerve, activates a reflex arc that triggers the sympathetic nerves responsible for sweat gland activation. The resulting change in skin potential is recorded and analyzed for latency (the time to onset) and amplitude (the size of the response). The procedure is painless, with only a mild sensation from the stimulating pulse. Several recordings are made at different intervals to ensure reproducibility. Healthy individuals usually show a stable latency and sufficient amplitude. Absence, delay, or reduced size of the response in one or more extremities can point towards autonomic dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, or central nervous system disorders. Results from the SSR test provide valuable clues on whether the sympathetic nerves are working correctly, helping guide further investigation or treatment for conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal cord injuries. A full report and consultation are provided, helping your physician correlate findings with medical history and other investigations.