A surface electrode for long-term delivery of an electrical signal to a skin surface of a patient, the surface electrode including: (a) a flexible, at least partially-conductive surface layer for physically contacting the skin surface, and for delivering thereto the electrical signal, and (b) an electrically conductive layer, operatively connected to the partially-conductive surface layer, for transferring the electrical signal thereto, wherein the at least partially-conductive surface layer has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, and preferably contains a conductive gel or artificial skin.