Last updated August 15, 2026
Key finding
Long-term users reduced their HbA1c by -0.86%, which was significantly different (P = .021).
The Few Touch Application (FTA) was evaluated as a mHealth intervention for diabetes self-management, showing a significant reduction in HbA1c levels among long-term users.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
The Few Touch Application (FTA) was evaluated as a mHealth intervention for diabetes self-management, showing a significant reduction in HbA1c levels among long-term users.
Effective diabetes self-management is crucial for preventing complications. The significant reduction in HbA1c levels indicates that the Few Touch Application can be a valuable tool for patients. However, the decrease in app usage raises concerns about sustained engagement, which is essential for long-term health outcomes.
Limited generalizability due to specific population characteristics. Potential biases in self-reported usage data. Short follow-up period may not capture long-term effects.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Meghan B, Gerit P, Ragnar J, et al. The Few Touch Application: A mHealth Intervention for Diabetes Self-Management. PLOS ONE. 2018;13(8):e0203202. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0203202
Long-term users of FTA reduced their HbA1c by -0.86% (P = .021).
Long-term users significantly decreased their usage of the mHealth intervention over the year (P < .001).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Few Touch Application (FTA), Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) and Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year, HbA1c.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Few Touch Application (FTA)
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
1
Related topics
4
Evidence pairs
603
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Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Few Touch Application (FTA) → Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
Few Touch Application (FTA) → Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) → Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) → Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) → HbA1c
Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) → HbA1c
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Few Touch Application (FTA) and HbA1c, Few Touch Application (FTA) and Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Devices & Technology
Devices & Technology
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
Measures Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year as a key outcome.
All studies on Few Touch Application (FTA)
Contributes to Few Touch Application (FTA) evidence base.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Few Touch Application (FTA) appears to lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) appears to lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Few Touch Application (FTA) for change in usage of mhealth intervention over the year.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Few Touch Application with Health Counselling (FTA+HC) for change in usage of mhealth intervention over the year.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in usage of mHealth intervention over the year
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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