# A Bedside Relational Agent to Improve Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Cancer Patients

> **NIH NIH R44** · FRIENDI.FI CORPORATION · 2024 · $343,362

## Abstract

Abstract
Delirium, a major cause of falls, can occur in as many as 50% of cancer patients undergoing stem cell 
transplantation, resulting in up to 14 times greater chance of dying. Delirium risk can be mitigated and many 
other outcomes of stem cell transplants can be improved through behavioral interventions delivered at the 
bedside through conversation, imagery, and audio. However, traditional means of delivering these 
interventions are very labor intensive, difficult to quality control, and difficult to cost-effectively scale to many 
patients. In this SBIR Fast-Track proposal, we seek to develop a technology-enabled bedside digital relational 
agent specifically programmed to enhance the well-being, safety, and outcomes of cancer patients undergoing 
inpatient stem cell transplantation, by supporting them through protocols in the following eight categories: Diet 
& Hydration, Physical Exercise, Incentive Spirometry, Orientation, Non-Pharmacological Pain & Anxiety 
Management, Psychosocial Support & Staff Communication, Sleep, and Toileting Assistance. We will then 
conduct a three-year clinical study, deploying this new intervention to over 200 adult patients across two 
oncology/hematology units, aiming to observe (compared to a randomized control group) statistically significant 
reductions in length of stay, incident delirium rate, fall rate, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, with improved 
overall patient satisfaction and rate of immune system recovery post-transplant. This proposal addresses the 
major National Cancer Institute portfolio areas of “Technologies for Cancer Control (Behavioral Health 
Interventions)” and “Digital Health (Mobile Health and Health Information Technology).”

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11221193
- **Project number:** 6R44CA236253-04
- **Recipient organization:** FRIENDI.FI CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Victor Wang
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $343,362
- **Award type:** 6
- **Project period:** 2019-04-05 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11221193

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11221193, A Bedside Relational Agent to Improve Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Cancer Patients (6R44CA236253-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11221193. Licensed CC0.

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