Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research
Vol. 8 No. 5 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research

Effectiveness of Right Lateral Position on Oxygen Saturation and Respiratory Rate in Children with Pneumonia

Lindesi Yanti (Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta & Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Hesti Wira Sriwijaya)
Nyimas Heny Purwati (Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta)
Syarifah Aini Tanjung (Rumah Sakit Anak dan Bunda Harapan Kita)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Oct 2026

Abstract

Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, often accompanied by impaired gas exchange, decreased oxygen saturation, and increased respiratory rate. Non-pharmacological interventions such as body positioning have the potential to improve pulmonary ventilation-perfusion and enhance a child's respiratory status. This study analyzed the effectiveness of the right lateral position compared to the semi-Fowler position on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in children with pneumonia. This research method used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group design. The sample consisted of 30 children aged 1 month to 5 years with pneumonia selected using purposive sampling, consisting of 15 respondents in the intervention group who received the right lateral position and 15 respondents in the control group who received the semi-Fowler position. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured before and after the intervention using a standardized observation sheet. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test and an independent t-test with a significance level of 95% (α = 0.05). The baseline characteristics of respondents in both groups were homogeneous (p>0.05). In the right lateral group, oxygen saturation increased from 91.2±4.9% to 95.8±3.5% (Δ=4.6; p=0.001), while the respiratory rate decreased from 43.3±4.7 to 36.2±3.0 beats/minute (Δ=7.1; p=0.001). In the semi-Fowler group, oxygen saturation increased from 90.6±6.7% to 94.4±4.6% (Δ=3.8; p=0.001), and the respiratory rate decreased from 43.1±6.5 to 37.1±4.5 beats/minute (Δ=5.9; p=0.001). Changes in oxygen saturation (p=0.032) and respiratory rate (p=0.018) were significantly different between groups. The effect size showed a superior right lateral position on oxygen saturation (d=0.32) and respiratory rate (d=0.38). Conclusion: The right lateral position is more effective than the semi-Fowler's position in increasing oxygen saturation and decreasing respiratory rate in children with pneumonia.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJGHR

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Subject

Description

Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research is a open access, peer reviewed and refereed international journal. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research aim to publish original research paper devoted to various area of all health sciences. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research provides a ...