Gravity Chair

The Gravity Chair is a specially designed foam positioning system which offers support, sensory feedback and stability to children and adults with a range of disabilities.   The Chair promotes a low centre of gravity in the user, which naturally encourages a stable seated position, and has high arm rests and snug-fitting lateral supports to enhance a feeling of safety, security and well-being. By allowing users to sit comfortably and independently, the Gravity Chair can bring more confidence and freedom to daily lives. It’s lightweight, very portable and comes in four sizes.

We supply this item in Scotland, Northern Ireland/Ireland only.   

Key features

• Foam positioning system thats suits almost every body
• Promotes low centre of gravity in the user which naturally encourages a stable seated position
• Reduces anxiety by providing sensory feedback
• Provides a safe and comfortable ‘time-out’ solution for children with challenging behaviour.
• Can be used as a safe and non-restrictive seating option to ease deformities and contractures
• High arm rests and snug fitting lateral supports enhance feeling of safety, security and well being as well as effectuating free breathing thus raising blood oxygen levels
• Available with range of wedges and in various colours
• Alleviates the discomfort of spasm and involuntary movement.
• Enhances fine motor control activities and the independent use of hand-held devices
• CE Marked (EU) 2017/745 Medical Device Regulation 
• Manufactured to order:  Lead time approx 6 weeks

A wedge mat is provided with the Gravity Chair, to allow optimum positioning of the head, trunk and legs. The wedge can be put under the front, back – or even under one of the sides – to allow users to sit more upright, more reclined, or to assist to gain a more aligned posture when deformities and contractures are present. This allows the Gravity Chair to be used for relaxation, to facilitate social interaction, to enhance engagement, attention and concentration and to enable the independent use of laptops, tablets and console games whilst maintaining good posture.

Basic Configuration; Foam chair, removable and washable cover, Triangle mat, Inlaid cushion for improving the micro climate, Incontinence resistant sitting surface, Head rest, Velcro connected side pouch,Pelvis belt

Individual seat shells or therapy systems often lead the patient exactly to an optimal sitting position. But this very often goes involves tension. Here the Gravity Chair can follow the principle “Tension and relaxation” and give alternation to the patient. This on the one hand reduces the monotony of sitting, but on the other hand serves the therapeutical aim by stable positioning. This ability even might offer an optimal solution for all day situations, like relocation of the patient. Very often, the patient is lying on the floor or in the bed and in the given malposition but as it is very light, the Gravity Chair can be used almost everywhere. An optional foam Tray table for therapy is available and connects with velcro fixings.

The Gravity Chair has been in use for over 20 years and has created many positive results in varied situations and with a wide range of users.  People cared for in bed for long periods of time were able to tolerate sitting again, using a hoist for transfers and using the wedge to provide additional tilt-in-space with the angle allowing upright sitting to be adjusted steadily, over time. People with neurological conditions who experience extensor spasm have benefited from having this stable and comfy chair as an option to prescribed dynamic or rigid seating. The Gravity Chair allows users who may need to have more restrictive seating for a greater part of their day, to experiment and explore autonomous movement, whilst getting sensory feedback from the Chair itself can lessen the discomfort of spasm.
Children and adults with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) get close body contact in the Gravity Chair, with the resulting ‘hug’ from the chair promoting feelings of calm, greater body awareness and an increased ability to self-regulate sensory input. Emotions and behaviours become easier to manage and occupational therapists and physiotherapists have found the Gravity Chair a useful piece of kit to reduce anxiety, distractibility and thereby increase participation, function and communication.

The Gravity Chair has been found to provide a perfect solution for parents and teachers seeking a non-restrictive ‘time-out’ option for children with challenging behaviour who may find the demands of school excessive and who need a quiet space when they get home, or in a corner of the classroom.

The Gravity Chair can provide the sensory and automatic positive feedback some children seek and are unable to find in the school environment, reducing stress on the nervous system, helping them to manage their emotions and responses in a comfortable place. People who find it difficult to use laptops, tablets and handheld game consoles – due to dyspraxia, tics and abnormal involuntary movements – are assisted by the shape and stability of the Gravity Chair, either by using the height of the armrests for support or by allowing some movement whilst keeping elbows tucked inside the chair.

There are two cover versions available depending on the requirments of the user. The Classic cover is a breathable fabric on the user contact surfaces and rear back panel, with wipe-down covers in all other areas.  Alternatively a premium Datrex cover is available which can be fully wiped down, including internal contact surfaces where user is seated. 

Specification

• Small
  • Seat depth    24cm
  • Age    2 – 6 year
  • Body height    90 – 110cm
• Medium
  • Seat depth    30cm
  • Age    6 – 10 year
  • Body height    110 – 130cm 
• Large
  • Seat depth    38cm
  • Age    10 – 13 year
  • Body height    130 – 150cm
• LL
  • Seat depth    43cm
  • Age    13 year +
  • Body height    150 – 170cm