I've been to over 100 cuddle parties. One thing that wasn't mentioned in these studies is the context for these hugs matter a lot. Most people avoid cuddle parties because they wouldn't want to cuddle a stranger and their ideas of what the "party" looks like is usually really wrong.
The cuddle parties I have been to were organized in such a way to allow people to refuse more easily any request that comes their way.
This optimization allows for only truly desired touch to occur. People are asked to channel any sexual desire into affection and in a setting where everyone agrees on this hugs take a whole different form than what I've seen in these studies.
If the release of oxytocin is an indication of how effective and healthy touch is I can assure you that lots of people leave a cuddle party feeling like they're on MDMA without having ingested any drugs.
The title here states what people prefer but after you've experience hugs like I have the over/under, criss cross is the least of your worries... what about a hug where you are cheek against cheek? What about a hug where you synchronize your breath with the other other individual and both stomachs touch throughout? These are the hugs that I have found most effective in terms of positive feelings and they are possible and desired in a non-sexual setting that optimizes for consent.