The Ibis XP tilt-in-space powered wheelchair: A review

Abstract

Trying to find the most appropriate wheelchair to meet the individual needs of a large and often diverse client group can be a challenge for therapists. This is particularly so in the case of wheelchair users whose functional ability and sitting stability deteriorates over a period of time. Continuing to meet a changing need can be time consuming and expensive. As a result, the client may have to wait some time before his or her needs are met, particularly if funding is limited or if therapists are scarce on the ground. Consequently, a ‘catch up’ becomes the order of the day: the client's condition changes, the therapist visits, modifications are agreed, but by the time they are implemented they are no longer appropriate for the client, whose needs have further deteriorated. Fundamentally, many clients therefore never have their needs met adequately. A number of factors need to be considered when prescribing suitable wheelchairs, such as the diagnosis or disability of the user, his/her projected long-term needs, functional ability, size and sitting ability. The Ibis XP from Movingpeople.net is a compact powered tilt-in-space wheelchair that is multi-adjustable – an endless range of combinations, all from one frame size. In addition to the single frame design, a range of accessories can be purchased either at the time of the prescription or subsequently, in order to customize the chair to the needs of the user as and when these change.