EMG interference pattern analysis is helpful in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and thus an essential part of electromyography. Which of the various methods is the most sensitive is still a matter of debate. The aim of this review is to describe the different methods of EMG interference pattern analysis and to compare their sensitivity with regard to the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders. Principally, subjective and objective methods can be distinguished. Objective methods, especially when carried out automatically, are favoured, because they provide quantitative data, allow comparing the results of different subjects and laboratories, allow Statistical analysis and minimise the observer bias. Automatic methods that do without force monitoring are preferred. Among these the turn/amplitude analysis has gained the widest acceptance, in particular the cloud method by Stalberg and Nandedkar and the peak-ratio method by Fuglsang-Frederiksen. Compared to the cloud method, the peak-ratio method is more sensitive, quicker and easier to perform and provides information about the whole pool of recruitable motor units.