In a world first, South Australian researchers want to find out if an app can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and help control asthma in children.

They will be testing whether an interactive program will improve health outcomes in teenagers.

Research has found children with asthma are twice as likely to develop symptoms of anxiety or depression.

A University of South Australia and Children’s Research Foundation study is hoping to discover whether augmented reality, similar to the technology in popular games like Pokemon Go, can help appease the conditions.

The study will create booklets that young people can scan with their mobile phones.

These will bring up different types of cognitive and behavioural therapies in an interactive way.