BACKGROUND: Interactive metronome (IM), also known as millisecond rhythm feedback, is a rehabilitative treatment technology supported by neural plasticity theory. Cerebral immediate feedback measured in milliseconds is helpful for understanding neurocognitive mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To overview the progress of IM applied in the rehabilitation of central nervous system. METHODS: The first author retrieved CNKI (2001-2016), Medline (1989-2016) and Imedpub (2015-2017) databases using the keywords of millisecond rhythm feedback, cognition, motor behavior in English and Chinese, respectively. Data such as theoretical researches on cerebral timing function, the mechanism underlying IM affecting cerebral timing function, and IM operation skills and application were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 26 eligible articles were enrolled. IM is an objective assessment and training tool that improves neural synchronization and function. IM can accelerate the speed and the efficiency of processing information of white matter tracts, and enhance the function of attention control system in order to improve the disorder of the cerebral timing. IM achieves satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of learning disabilities in children, cognitive impairment after brain injury and cerebral stroke with hemiplegia in adults. Based on the traditional rehabilitative training in the central nervous system, IM addresses critical brain timing skills, which is a promising technology in the future rehabilitation of the central nervous system.