The annual best-of list of top Cochrane reviews and podcasts downloaded by Australians in 2015 offers an interesting snapshot of diverse topics and research areas.  In amongst reviews on public health priority areas like obesity and common conditions like arthritis, you’ll find reviews on all kinds of non-pharmacological approaches to various ailments and issues. Pilates for low back pain, music for mechanically ventilated patients and dance therapy for depression made Australian top fives, but were absent from the Cochrane global list of top downloads. On the flipside, the power of tea, water fluoridation and preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers were among international favourites that didn’t make an appearance in our national charts. 

> Top 5 most downloaded new reviews 

1. Exercise for treating patellofemoral pain syndrome

2. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis

3. Personalised care planning for adults with chronic or long-term health conditions

4. Pilates for low back pain

5. Portion, package and tableware size for changing consumption of food, alcohol and tobacco

> Top 5 most downloaded updated reviews

1. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee

2. Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

3. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds

4. Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults

5. Active versus expectant management for women in the third stage of labour

> Top 5 most popular podcasts

1. CRASH 2 (clinical trials that looked at the effects of blood-clot promoting drugs on patients who were bleeding)

2. Music interventions for mechanically ventilated patients

3. Calcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes

4. Dance movement therapy for depression

5. Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work