The Science behind Applied Performance
Applied Performance offers measurable neuroscience that empowers performance.
Across multiple peer-reviewed studies and applied organizational research, Applied Performance has been shown to strengthen the four brain circuits associated with sustained performance, resilience, and leadership clarity: Emotion Regulation, Attention, Selfing Control, and Empathy.
These circuits engage together in a high-performance neural network that supports calm decision-making under pressure, faster recovery from stress, and improved interpersonal effectiveness.
Research-Backed Performance Improvements
Productivity and Performance
Multiple studies consistently point to meaningful, rapid performance gains:
A 20% productivity increase in 21 days
Six-month follow-up shows productivity improving even further
Greater financial return on assets
A fivefold increase in problem-solving performance during flow states
A 490% improvement in skill mastery and complex problem-solving
Church, D., Vasudevan, A., & De Foe, A. (2024). Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 28(3), 4-14.
Cranston, S., & Keller, S. (2013). McKinsey Quarterly, 1, 48-59.
Adee, S. (2012). New Scientist, 2850, 1-6.
Rani, A. A., Abidin, I., & Hamid, M. R. (2013). Macrotheme Review, 2(3), 46-59.
Ayranci, E. (2011). Business Intelligence Journal, 4(1), 9-32.
Burnout, Depression and Emotional Health
Burnout is one of the most expensive and disruptive issues leaders face. API training directly targets the neural pathways involved. Psychological symptom improvements include:
56% reduction in depression
27% reduction in anxiety
47% reduction in burnout
8% reduction in blood pressure
43% reduction in cortisol
21% increase in happiness
Rizzo, A., Laachi, S., et al. (2025). Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 29(6), 782-799.
Blacher, S. (2023). Journal of Interprofessional Education, 30, 100599.
Church, D., Vasudevan, A., & De Foe, A. (2024). Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 28(3), 4-14.
Dincer, B., & Inangil, D. (2020). Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 17(2), 109-114.
Bifano, S., Szeglin, C., et al. (2024). Medical Acupuncture, 36(2), 70-78.
Retention and Leadership Effectiveness
Research shows that leaders trained in API methods produce better organizational outcomes. Applied Performance strongly correlates with leadership effectiveness, team morale, community building, job satisfaction, and intent to stay. API trained leaders demonstrate:
Greater profitability
Better financial performance
Lower staff turnover
Higher retention
Greater team cohesion
Higher engagement
Soga, L. R., Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y., et al. (2022). Journal of Business Research, 142, 648-662.
Malik, M. S., & Tariq, S. (2016). International Review of Management and Marketing, 6(2), 289-297.
Harung, H. S., & Travis, F. (2012). Cognitive Processing, 13, 171-181.
Church, D. and David, I. (2019). Psychology, 10, 941-952.
Koražija, M., Žižek, S. Š., & Mumel, D. (2016). Our Economy, 62(2), 51-60.
Financial Performance
Large scale peer-reviewed studies demonstrate clear links between Applied Performance and financial outcomes.
374 industrial managers showed better financial performance
300 employees at major banks generated higher return on assets
Improvements are durable over the course of five years
Personal satisfaction increases with business performance
Ayranci, E. (2011). Business Intelligence Journal, 4(1), 9-32.
Malik, M. S., & Tariq, S. (2016). International Review of Management and Marketing, 6(2), 289-297.
Amram, J. Y. (2009). Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, 1-169.
Healthcare Cost Reduction
Stress accounts for 80% of doctor visits. API methods result not only in reduced psychological stress, but improved biomarkers such as cortisol, resting heart rate, and blood pressure. API research has been shown to produce:
Significantly fewer primary care visits
Fewer hospital admissions over 5 years
Lower resting heart rate
Lower stress hormone levels
Improved health biomarkers
Church, D., Yount, G., & Brooks, A. J. (2012). Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200(10), 891-896.
Bach, D., … Church, D. (2019). Journal of Evidence-based Integrative Medicine, 24, 2515690X18823691.
Church, D. (2014). Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 10(3), 162-169.
Klatt, M. D., Sieck, C., et al. (2016). Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 27, 139-144.
Muchineripi, J. N., Gavaza, B. K., et al. (2026). Springer Nature, 203-224.
Global Delivery Capability
Applied Performance Institute is supported by a network of more than 1,000 trained practitioners who are equipped to deliver and implement Applied Performance methodologies across organizations, teams, and leadership populations worldwide.
The Neuroscience Behind Applied Performance
Emotion Regulation Circuit
Manages stress and emotional reactivity
Attention Circuit
Sustains focus in high-distraction environments
Selfing Control Circuit
Reduces ego reactivity and improves presence
Empathy Circuit
Enhances social intelligence and team cohesion
Together, these four circuits support calm decision-making under pressure, resilience, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and sustained high performance.
Summary: What This Means for Your Organization
The research across neuroscience, leadership science, and organizational psychology is consistent. Applied Performance training:
Improves productivity
Reduces burnout and turnover
Improves emotional and cognitive functioning
Improves financial performance
Reduces avoidable healthcare costs
Taken together, we offer one of the only leadership capabilities that simultaneously improves performance, well-being, and the bottom line.