Transforming Pediatric Healthcare with Augmented Reality and Biofeedback

Case Study: Transforming Pediatric Healthcare with Augmented Reality and Biofeedback

Overview: At Forge Modern, we’re constantly exploring how technology can bridge the gap between complex healthcare treatments and patient accessibility. One of the most impactful projects we’ve had the privilege to be a part of is Ranger Loo, an innovative solution developed through our participation in the Gamifying Pediatrics Hackathon, hosted by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and BCG Digital Ventures.

Our mission? To make the treatment for pelvic floor disorders more accessible, engaging, and effective for pediatric patients, all from the comfort of their own homes. Through the combination of Augmented Reality (AR) and biofeedback devices, we were able to turn a typically expensive and clinic-based treatment into a home-friendlyexperience that not only motivates children to participate but also improves the outcomes of the treatment.

The Gamifying Pediatrics Hackathon: A Catalyst for Innovation

The Gamifying Pediatrics Hackathon took place in April 2019 at BCG Digital Ventures in Manhattan Beach, California. This exciting event brought together a diverse group of 185 participants, including physicians, nurses, engineers, game developers, and virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experts. Over the course of 48 hours, these individuals formed 22 teams, pitched 47 ideas, and worked to create prototypes for new digital health tools aimed at improving pediatric care.

The goal of the Hackathon was to develop immersive and innovative solutions for pediatric healthcare — solutions that could serve the needs of both patients and healthcare providers. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, allowing clinical leaders, tech industry experts, and healthcare executives to come together and create groundbreaking solutions that would ultimately benefit young patients and their families.

At the end of the event, Ranger Loo, the project Forge Modern worked on, was selected as one of the 10 semi-finalist teams, earning us the opportunity to continue developing our idea during the Incubator phase. This phase offered us mentorship and resources to refine our prototype, with the chance to present it at CHLA Demo Day later that year.

The Challenge: Treating Pelvic Floor Disorders in Pediatric Patients

Pelvic floor disorders are a significant concern for children, particularly those dealing with issues related to bathroom training and control. While treatment options exist, they are typically clinic-based, requiring frequent visits that can be expensive and difficult to access. Moreover, the experience can be intimidating for children, making it hard for them to fully engage in their treatment.

Ranger Loo was designed to solve these challenges. By using a combination of Augmented Reality and biofeedback, we aimed to make treatment more engaging, accessible, and effective. The idea was to gamify the process of pelvic floor therapy, giving children a fun, interactive way to improve their abdominal muscle control — all from home.

Step 1: Creating an Engaging Treatment Experience with Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) became the core component of our solution. We developed an AR app that would allow children to interact with a game character on the screen. Using biofeedback devices, we were able to track the child’s muscle contractions and translate that information into in-game actions.

When a child made the correct muscle movements — in this case, abdominal contractions — the game character would move, providing visual feedback and reinforcing the proper muscle movements. This visual feedback loop not only motivated the child but also helped them develop the muscle control needed for improved bathroom training.

This process turned a potentially uncomfortable or frustrating treatment into an enjoyable, game-like experience that children could engage with regularly. The goal was to help children feel confident and capable of mastering their pelvic floor muscles, improving their ability to control bathroom use and significantly reducing the likelihood of ongoing issues.

Step 2: Enhancing the Treatment with Biofeedback

In addition to the AR game, we incorporated biofeedback devices to track the child’s muscle contractions. These sensors would be placed on the child’s body, detecting the muscle activity during treatment. The real-time data provided immediate feedback to the child, helping them understand whether they were engaging the right muscles during their therapy.

This interactive feedback system made the process feel less like traditional physical therapy and more like a fun, rewarding game, while still achieving the necessary clinical goals. The combination of AR and biofeedback was a unique and effective way to encourage consistent participation in therapy while ensuring the treatment remained effective and measurable.

Step 3: Simplifying the Process for Doctors with AR and Visual Feedback

One of the most innovative aspects of Ranger Loo was the integration of AR technology to help doctors gather vital information without needing direct interaction with stool samples, which can be an uncomfortable and potentially traumatic experience for children.

The app was designed to detect the toilet seat and overlay graphical instructions to guide the child in taking a picture of the toilet after use. This allowed the doctor to receive valuable stool sample information without the child ever having to directly view the sample — ensuring that the process was both non-invasive and child-friendly.

Step 4: Making Healthcare Accessible from Home

What made Ranger Loo truly transformative was its ability to bring an otherwise expensive, clinic-based treatmentdirectly into the home. With this solution, children could complete their pelvic floor training from the comfort of their own space, eliminating the need for regular doctor’s visits or travel.

By combining AR, biofeedback, and telemedicine, we enabled children to receive the therapy they needed in a way that was both engaging and effective.

The Results: Improving Patient Outcomes with Technology

The Gamifying Pediatrics Hackathon was an incredible opportunity to showcase how Augmented Reality and biofeedback can have a profound impact on healthcare. Not only did Ranger Loo provide a fun and interactive way for children to improve their pelvic floor control, but it also opened the door for at-home care that could lead to better patient outcomes and greater accessibility.

The project’s success was further validated when we were selected as a semi-finalist in the hackathon, and we’re excited to continue refining the product during the Incubator phase.

The Future: Unlocking New Possibilities for Healthcare with AR and Biofeedback

The Ranger Loo project is a testament to the potential of Augmented Reality and biofeedback in transforming pediatric healthcare. As we move forward, we see immense potential for these technologies to be applied in a wide range of treatments, from physical therapy to chronic condition management.

At Forge Modern, we are passionate about using innovative technologies to solve real-world healthcare problems and make high-quality care more accessible to everyone.

Conclusion: Revolutionizing Pediatric Healthcare

Through our work with CHLA, BCG Digital Ventures, and the Gamifying Pediatrics Hackathon, Forge Modern was able to demonstrate how combining Augmented Reality with biofeedback can create a highly effective, engaging, and accessible healthcare solution. With Ranger Loo, we’ve made an important step toward ensuring that pediatric patientscan receive the care they need, regardless of where they are or how complex their condition might be.

Are you interested in how AR and biofeedback can enhance your healthcare solutions? Contact us today to learn how Forge Modern can help you develop the next breakthrough in healthcare technology.