He studies psychological, attitudinal, and sociocultural barriers to the integration of mind-body factors in medicine and is especially interested in the role of contemplative practices, particularly meditation, in improving mental and physical health. As part of a National Institutes of Health project, Dr Astin has examined physicians', medical students', and medical residents' attitudes toward the role of psychosocial/mind-body factors and therapies in medicine. With his colleague, Cassi Vieten, he currently is developing a series of mindfulness-based interventions to help substance-dependent individuals manage stress.