An electrode configured for placement in contact with a surface of a patient's body, the electrode comprising: a flexible support; characterized by: a plurality of electrode segments which are supported by the flexible support to permit the electrode to conform to the surface of the patient's body and separated by open spaces, wherein the electrode segments comprise a conductive core having a first side that faces the patient when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body and a dielectric material disposed on the first side of the conductive core so as to insulate the conductive core from the patient's body when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, and the open spaces are arranged in a pattern that permits portions of the surface of the patient's body that are covered when the electrode is in a first position to become uncovered when the electrode is moved to a second position, thereby to permit moisture on the surface of the patient's body to escape via the open spaces when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, with the overall footprint of the electrode in the first and second positions being substantially the same. a flexible support; characterized by: a plurality of electrode segments which are supported by the flexible support to permit the electrode to conform to the surface of the patient's body and separated by open spaces, wherein the electrode segments comprise a conductive core having a first side that faces the patient when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body and a dielectric material disposed on the first side of the conductive core so as to insulate the conductive core from the patient's body when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, and the open spaces are arranged in a pattern that permits portions of the surface of the patient's body that are covered when the electrode is in a first position to become uncovered when the electrode is moved to a second position, thereby to permit moisture on the surface of the patient's body to escape via the open spaces when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, with the overall footprint of the electrode in the first and second positions being substantially the same. a plurality of electrode segments which are supported by the flexible support to permit the electrode to conform to the surface of the patient's body and separated by open spaces, wherein the electrode segments comprise a conductive core having a first side that faces the patient when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body and a dielectric material disposed on the first side of the conductive core so as to insulate the conductive core from the patient's body when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, and the open spaces are arranged in a pattern that permits portions of the surface of the patient's body that are covered when the electrode is in a first position to become uncovered when the electrode is moved to a second position, thereby to permit moisture on the surface of the patient's body to escape via the open spaces when the electrode is placed in contact with the patient's body, with the overall footprint of the electrode in the first and second positions being substantially the same.