Cited by 18Sleep and related disordersAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Paradoxical intention for insomnia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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Jansson‐Fröjmark, Markus, Alfonsson, Sven, Bohman, Benjamin, Rozental, Alexander, Norell‐Clarke, Annika·2022·Journal of Sleep Research

Abstract

Summary: Paradoxical intention (PI) has been considered an evidence‐based treatment for insomnia since the 1990s, but it has not been evaluated with modern review techniques such as meta‐analysis. The present study aimed to conduct the first systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that explore the effectiveness of PI for insomnia on insomnia symptomatology and theory‐derived processes. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted by searching for eligible articles or dissertations in six online bibliographic databases. Randomised controlled trials and experimental studies comparing PI for insomnia to active and passive comparators and assessing insomnia symptoms as outcomes were included. A random effects model was estimated to determine the standardised mean difference Hedge’s g at post‐treatment. Test for heterogeneity was performed, fail‐safe N was calculated, and study quality was assessed. The study was pre‐registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42019137357). A total of 10 trials were identified. Compared to passive comparators, PI led to large improvements in key insomnia symptoms. Relative to active comparators, the improvements were smaller, but still moderate for several central outcomes. Compared to passive comparators, PI resulted in great reductions in sleep‐related performance anxiety, one of several proposed mechanisms of change for PI. PI for insomnia resulted in marked clinical improvements, large relative to passive comparators and moderate compared to active comparators. However, methodologically stronger studies are needed before more firm conclusions can be drawn.

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  • Functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex is associated with heightened emotional reactivity and rumination during bedtime.

    “Functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex has been associated with heightened emotional reactivity and rumination during bedtime [33].”

    From Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Practice. (2026) · cites this paper as [33]

    The Introduction discusses sleep-related arousal and performance anxiety, and §4.3 discusses possible mechanisms of paradoxical intention. Neither addresses amygdala–prefrontal functional connectivity or its association with emotional reactivity and bedtime rumination (searched those terms and paraphrases). Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Byrne, T. M. (1985). The differential effects of paradoxical intention and relaxation training upon insomnia in depressed and non-depressed subjects. Unpublished thesis, Hofstra University, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Sciences and Engineering Collection database (8410500).

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Authors
Jansson‐Fröjmark, M., Alfonsson, S., Bohman, B., Rozental, A., & Norell‐Clarke, A.
Affiliations
  • Region Stockholm (SE)
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital (GB)
  • Kristianstad University (SE)
Corresponding author
Jansson‐Fröjmark, Markus
Venue
Journal of Sleep Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-08-17
Volume
31
Issue
2
Pages
e13464-e13464
ISSN
  • 0962-1105 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2869
OpenAlex
W3194891380
Cited by
18
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1
FWCI
0.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Sleep Research (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Digitala vetenskapliga arkivet (Diva) (Karlstad University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
paradoxical intention, insomnia, insomnia treatment, mechanisms of change, sleep maintenance, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Sleep, Intention

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