Using a digital assistant to help cancer patients during stem cell transplants
Official title: A Bedside Relational Agent to Improve Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Cancer Patients
Funded at Friendi.fi Corporation · NIH-11221193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly digital helper that will support cancer patients getting stem cell transplants by chatting with them and offering tips on things like diet, exercise, and emotional well-being, all to make their experience better and help them feel more comfortable during treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friendi.fi Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Millbrae, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $343,362 |
| NIH project number | 6R44CA236253-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11221193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult cancer patients who are scheduled to undergo inpatient stem cell transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing stem cell transplantation or those with conditions that preclude participation in the study may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a digital relational agent that provides bedside support to cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. The agent will deliver behavioral interventions through conversation, imagery, and audio to help manage various aspects of patient care, including diet, exercise, pain management, and emotional support. By implementing this technology, the study seeks to improve patient outcomes, reduce the incidence of delirium, and enhance overall satisfaction during the transplant process. Over three years, the intervention will be tested on more than 200 adult patients in oncology units to measure its effectiveness compared to traditional care methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the safety and recovery outcomes for cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that technology-enabled interventions can improve patient outcomes in similar healthcare settings, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Friendi.fi Corporation
Millbrae, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Victor — Friendi.fi Corporation
- Study coordinator: Wang, Victor
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.