Furry avatar may calm cancer patients during transplant

NCT ID NCT06564233

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Victor Wang Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a friendly animated pet avatar on a tablet, guided by a human-AI team, can help reduce anxiety and improve quality of life for adults undergoing outpatient stem cell transplant for cancer. About 90 participants will be randomly assigned to receive the avatar or standard care. The goal is to see if this digital companion makes the transplant experience less stressful.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: care.coach Avatar™ (a virtual pet avatar on a tablet, backed by a human-AI team)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to help patients feel less anxious and more comfortable during stem cell transplant, possibly allowing more people to choose outpatient care.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial (90 participants) testing a behavioral tool, not a medical treatment. The avatar may not reduce anxiety significantly, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CANCER HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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