[In favour of early detection and moderate interventionism: to what extent is early stimulation effective?].
OBJECTIVE
To review the bases and outcomes of early stimulation in the light of the results reported in the literature.


METHODS
We survey the papers that report results obtained from early stimulation in children at risk and in others with known dysfunctions, who were treated using diverse techniques with heterogeneous theoretical bases, programmes of intervention and application times and which range from the early stages of life (neonatal intensive care units) to the later stages of development. The main data taken into account were the meta-analyses. No data were found indicating permanent positive effects on the neurodevelopment of children to whom stimulation techniques were applied and, when short-term effects were reported, they were not detected in the medium or long term.


CONCLUSIONS
Early stimulation techniques are politically correct, but are not effective enough to make their application recommendable as a valid preventive procedure. We suggest applying the treatments to children with known impairments in order to prevent the appearance of the self-fulfilling prophecy effect.
Prats-Vinas
J M
JM
Hospital de Cruces, 48903 Barakaldo, Espana. ppprats@telefonica.net
D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn