J Sleep Res April 2022 PMID 34405469

Paradoxical intention for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Markus Jansson-Fröjmark, Sven Alfonsson, Benjamin Bohman, Alexander Rozental, Annika Norell-Clarke

Mentions

59
Peak: 50 in Aug 2021
across 2 sources since Aug 2021

Extended reach

761,703
potential audience

Total likes

1,701

Video views

56,331

Mentions per month

Aug 2021 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter51 posts
  • YouTube8 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The social discussions highlight the effectiveness of paradoxical intention, with phrases like 'great improvements' and 'backs up what I see in clinic,' indicating both enthusiasm and real-world relevance. The tone varies from optimistic to cautious, reflecting awareness of the need for further research to confirm these findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that paradoxical intention shows promise in treating insomnia, citing strong positive results and clinical experiences.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with multiple mentions of practical applications and general excitement about the findings.

EngagementModerate engagement

The posts engage deeply by referencing specific outcomes, such as reductions in sleep-related anxiety and supporting clinical observations.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions recognize potential significance, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research but acknowledging the promising implications for treatment.

Abstract in brief

  • The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of research on paradoxical intention (PI), a treatment for insomnia, assessing its effectiveness on sleep symptoms and related psychological processes.
  • Findings show that PI significantly improves insomnia symptoms compared to passive controls, with larger effects seen when compared to passive comparators and moderate effects when compared to active comparators.
  • Despite promising results, the study highlights the need for more rigorously designed research to confirm PI’s effectiveness before it can be widely recommended.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t.co/y6lIbKkerM https://t.co/Xp5ZDVgOq6

Aug 18, 2021 · 255 likes · 39 shares · 69,300 followers View post →
Pablo Malo
@pitiklinov · X

"Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el insomnio”. (pero son necesarios estudios metodológicamente más robustos antes de sacar conclusiones definitivas) https://t.co/qzB6zTue7b https://t.co/aE76sprRKr

Aug 18, 2021 · 45 likes · 17 shares · 71,254 followers View post →
Hailey Meaklim, PhD, DBSM
@SleepPsych_Aus · X

A really useful review showing that paradoxical intention for #insomnia led to large improvements in key insomnia symptoms and resulted in great reductions in sleep-related performance anxiety. Backs up what I see in clinic

Aug 23, 2021 · 5 likes · 4,525 followers View post →
Koenfucius
@koenfucius · X

Can’t get to sleep? Try to stay awake! Systematic review/meta-analysis finds paradoxical intention (ie, focus on staying awake, instead of getting to sleep) leads to moderate-large improvements to insomnia (relative to active-passive comparators) https://t.co/YnHRijXn08 https://t.co/59c9Fy13HX

Aug 22, 2021 · 3 likes · 8,586 followers View post →
Macario Schettino
@macariomx · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 337,090 followers View post →
Jesse Livermore
@Jesse_Livermore · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 100,345 followers View post →

All mentions

toni chir
@illiad · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Oct 4, 2021 · 39 shares · 91 followers View post →
CayoCornelio
@CayoCornelio · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 28, 2021 · 17 shares · 2,474 followers View post →
Hailey Meaklim, PhD, DBSM
@SleepPsych_Aus · X

A really useful review showing that paradoxical intention for #insomnia led to large improvements in key insomnia symptoms and resulted in great reductions in sleep-related performance anxiety. Backs up what I see in clinic

Aug 23, 2021 · 5 likes · 4,525 followers View post →
Miguel Angel Ruiz
@Mars_777 · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 22, 2021 · 17 shares · 2,614 followers View post →
Koenfucius
@koenfucius · X

Can’t get to sleep? Try to stay awake! Systematic review/meta-analysis finds paradoxical intention (ie, focus on staying awake, instead of getting to sleep) leads to moderate-large improvements to insomnia (relative to active-passive comparators) https://t.co/YnHRijXn08 https://t.co/59c9Fy13HX

Aug 22, 2021 · 3 likes · 8,586 followers View post →
Pau Oller
@PauOller · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 20, 2021 · 17 shares · 7,403 followers View post →
Vipin Rathnakumaran
@Vipin_Rath · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 7 followers View post →
Anthony Obeyesekere
@obscary · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 144 followers View post →
Strawman
@StrawmanMeBro · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 105 followers View post →
John Wilkins
@JohnWilkinspsyc · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 1,631 followers View post →
Dolo87
@Dolo87N83 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 284 followers View post →
Nuestro deber es interminable
@ElvacioEspera · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 19, 2021 · 17 shares · 11 followers View post →
pacotraver
@pacotraver · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 19, 2021 · 17 shares · 9,624 followers View post →
Axel claver
@AxelClaver · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 19, 2021 · 17 shares · 126 followers View post →
Orlando Tipismana
@Or_Tipismana · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 39 shares · 1,280 followers View post →
Goofypantz
@Kanseen · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 31 followers View post →
Night Eyes
@CurioussOwll · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 110 followers View post →
Fun and Games
@wwells668 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 1,317 followers View post →
AltoaragónRojoNegro
@AltoaragonRN · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 86 followers View post →
Citla ♡
@Citla_cg · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 240 followers View post →
Favio Vega Galdós
@FavioVegaGaldos · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 201 followers View post →
That Other Boi
@ThatOtherBoi · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 350 followers View post →
KingBlizzardAndTheScissoredVisard
@Tony_Sherbert · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 393 followers View post →
Rsa
@RSA1asr · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 220 followers View post →
Jotto
@Jotto999 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 881 followers View post →
Василий Чикинов
@lifeasgame · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 55 followers View post →
Ahsoka Tahoe
@JoePollard · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 267 followers View post →
Eric Barker
@bakadesuyo · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 28,029 followers View post →
Dopenope
@Dopenope3 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 1 followers View post →
claimshero.eth
@claimshero__eth · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 129 followers View post →
J Aguilar
@aguilarmex · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 8 followers View post →
Stephen Franks
@franks_lawyer · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 5,160 followers View post →
xElenter
@Elenter97 · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 164 followers View post →
ManuelGarciaEstrada
@ManuelGarciaES · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 15,606 followers View post →
Dr John Barry
@MalePsychology · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 11,316 followers View post →
Nostalgier
@nostalgier80 · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 30 followers View post →
Oveja
@IgnacheteMoreno · X

RT @pitiklinov: "Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el ins…

Aug 18, 2021 · 17 shares · 110 followers View post →
Pablo Malo
@pitiklinov · X

"Meta-análisis: La instrucción "¡intenta permanecer despierto el mayor tiempo posible!" funciona con eficacia contra el insomnio”. (pero son necesarios estudios metodológicamente más robustos antes de sacar conclusiones definitivas) https://t.co/qzB6zTue7b https://t.co/aE76sprRKr

Aug 18, 2021 · 45 likes · 17 shares · 71,254 followers View post →
Lance Lund
@LL924 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 516 followers View post →
Hiosaur
@hiosaur · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 116 followers View post →
Sebastian Reynolds
@Seb_Reynolds · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 1,312 followers View post →
papaya ꙮ
@papayathreesome · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 676 followers View post →
Rancidius " Maximus Putridious " Potatodopoulos
@RancidPotato · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 2,087 followers View post →
Harmless Frog
@FrogHarmless · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 503 followers View post →
thomas marquart
@ivh · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 214 followers View post →
Héctor Rodríguez
@hctrdz · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 593 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 6,711 followers View post →
Jesse Livermore
@Jesse_Livermore · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 100,345 followers View post →
Macario Schettino
@macariomx · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 337,090 followers View post →
Fernando Blanco
@FBpsy · X

RT @DegenRolf: Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 39 shares · 7,931 followers View post →
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Meta-analysis: The instruction "try to remain awake for as long as possible!" works successfully against insomnia. https://t.co/y6lIbKkerM https://t.co/Xp5ZDVgOq6

Aug 18, 2021 · 255 likes · 39 shares · 69,300 followers View post →