Digital avatar support for people having outpatient stem cell transplants
A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Avatar-based Supportive Care Intervention for Patients Undergoing Outpatient Stem Cell Transplantation
This trial will test whether a conversational avatar (care.coach) can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life for adults undergoing outpatient allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Friendi.fi Corporation Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06564233 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The program will adapt and optimize care.coach Avatar™ content and scheduling for patients receiving reduced-intensity outpatient allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). After optimization, participants will be randomized to receive the digital avatar supportive care program or usual supportive care. Primary outcomes include changes in anxiety and quality of life focused on the first 30 days after transplant, when most symptoms occur. The aim is to increase comfort with outpatient HCT and potentially expand the number of patients able to receive transplant in an outpatient setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older preparing for reduced-intensity outpatient allogeneic HCT who are fluent in English and able to interact with a digital avatar.
Not a fit: Patients who are not fluent in English or who have severe, uncorrectable hearing, vision, or speech impairments that prevent interacting with the avatar are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the avatar program could lower anxiety and improve quality of life after transplant and help more patients safely receive their stem cell transplants as outpatients.
How similar studies have performed: Conversational agents and digital health coaching have shown promising but mixed benefits for anxiety and quality of life in cancer populations, while their use specifically in outpatient HCT is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18+ * Seen for outpatient RIC HCT (prior to D0, generally D-6). Exclusion Criteria: * Deemed by clinical staff or research assistant (RA) to be unable to converse with an avatar, due to: severe, uncorrectable hearing or vision impairment; severe speech impairment that precludes understanding by staff (or by the avatar). * Not fluent in English.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Victor Wang, MS — Friendi.fi Corporation
- Study coordinator: Chantal M Kerssens, PhD
- Email: chantal@friendi.fi
- Phone: 404-849-8323
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.