About me
I am Professor of Gerontology with PhD in Health Sciences (major: Gerontology and Public Health). My main research themes include determinants of physical and cognitive functioning, healthy ageing and dementia.
Responsibilities
Research, teaching and societal interaction related to gerontology and ageing.
Fields of expertise
Expertise in gerontology, public health, healthy ageing, promotion of physical and cognitive health, dementia, and both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Main positions of trust
President of Board of Alzheimer Society of Finland, Editor in Chief in Gerontologia journal
Research topics
Ongoing projects:
https://www.tuni.fi/fi/tutkimus/elamaa-muistisairauden-kanssa-sosiaalis-relationaalinen-nakokulma-kestavaan-hoivaan-soremo
www.muistisairaatyhteiskunnassa.fi
https://projects.tuni.fi/kuuleminua/
https://www.tuni.fi/fi/tutkimus/muistisairaus-ja-elamanlaatu-sairastuneen-ihmisen-ja-puolison-nakokulmat
Research unit
Funding
Latest publications
Changes in older persons’ lifestyle and perceived health over time and during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the extended follow-up of the FINGER randomized controlled trial from 2009 to 2020
Lehtisalo, J., Sääskilahti, M., Härkänen, T., Kulmala, J., Hemiö, K., Siltanen, S., Zhi, Z., Mangialasche, F., Laatikainen, T., Strandberg, T., Antikainen, R., Tuomilehto, J., Soininen, H., Kivipelto, M. & Ngandu, T., 2025, In: Bmc Geriatrics. 25, 1, 13 p., 308.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Effects of multidomain lifestyle intervention on frailty among older men and women: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Saarela, L., Lehtisalo, J., Ngandu, T., Kyrönlahti, S., Havulinna, S., Strandberg, T., Levälahti, E., Antikainen, R., Soininen, H., Tuomilehto, J., Laatikainen, T., Kivipelto, M. & Kulmala, J., 2025, In: Annals of Medicine. 57, 1, 10 p., 2446699.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Family members’ perspectives on the unmet care needs of people living with dementia in nursing homes
Paananen, J., Moore, V., Blomqvist, K., Kulmala, J. & Pirhonen, J., 2025, In: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH. 51, 1, p. 86-101 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Forecasting Subjective Cognitive Decline: AI Approach Using Dynamic Bayesian Networks
Etholén, A., Roos, T., Hänninen, M., Bouri, I., Kulmala, J., Rahkonen, O., Kouvonen, A. & Lallukka, T., 2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, 16 p., e65028.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Functional limitations in 2004-22 among Europeans aged 55-69 years: time trends according to labor market group and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
Lisko, I. K., Kurkela, O., Urtamo, A., Kulmala, J. K. & Forma, L. P., Aug 2025, In: European Journal of Public Health. 35, 4, p. 693-700 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Impact of frailty status on the effect of a multidomain lifestyle intervention on cognition
Pöyhönen, J., Lehtisalo, J., Roitto, H. M., Levälahti, E., Strandberg, T., Kivipelto, M., Kulmala, J., Antikainen, R., Soininen, H., Tuomilehto, J., Laatikainen, T. & Ngandu, T., Feb 2025, In: AGE AND AGEING. 54, 2, 10 p., afaf041.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Impaired sleep, depressive symptoms, and pain as determinants of physical activity and exercise intervention adherence: an exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Kekkonen, E., Hall, A., Antikainen, R., Havulinna, S., Kivipelto, M., Kulmala, J., Laatikainen, T., Paajanen, T. I., Sindi, S., Soininen, H., Strandberg, T., Tuomilehto, J., Ngandu, T. & Solomon, A., 2025, In: Bmc Geriatrics. 25, 10 p., 211.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Muistisairasta puolisoaan hoitavien iäkkäiden omaishoitajien yksinäisyys
Lemivaara, M., Kulmala, J., Aaltonen, M. & Pirhonen, J., 2025, In: Gerontologia. 39, 2, p. 120-133 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Perceived rehabilitation needs of older people with dementia: A qualitative interview study
Mäenpää, O., Edgren, J., Aaltonen, M., van Aerschot, L., Pirhonen, J. & Kulmala, J., 7 Nov 2025, In: Bmc Geriatrics. 25, 1, 9 p., 863.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Short- and Long-Term Effect of Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention on Frailty: Post Hoc Analysis of an RCT
Pöyhönen, J., Roitto, H. M., Lehtisalo, J., Levälahti, E., Strandberg, T., Kivipelto, M., Kulmala, J., Antikainen, R., Soininen, H., Tuomilehto, J., Laatikainen, T. & Ngandu, T., 2025, In: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY. p. 2457-2465 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review