Over a period of six weeks, a group of 300 patients with varying ailments were given four treatments, each session being one hour long.
The results "showed statistically significant improvements both psychologically and physically, particularly in stress reduction, pain relief, increased ability to cope and better general health", reports The Daily Express.
Other benefits included improved sleep and increased energy levels.
People with most severe symptoms experienced most substantial improvements.
The touch-healing treatment was also beneficial to patients with cancer, musculo-skeletal ailments and mental health disorders.
Helen Leathard, Professor of Healing Science at the University of Cumbria, said: "On the basis of this sound evidence, healing by gentle touch should play a part in the treatment of people with cancer, mental health problems, or a wide variety of illnesses where help with pain or stress reduction will enhance their wellbeing", according to BBC News.
Gentle touch-healing is usually based on sessions lasting about 40 minutes where patients receive non-invasive touches to their head, chest, arms, legs and feet.
The research team was keen to stress that the method can compliment conventional medicine, not replace it.
